The Association for India's Development (AID), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization with over 40 chapters in the US. AID has received the highest 4-star rating by Charity Navigator, America’s best-known independent evaluator of charities. AID projects and partners have also received several national and international awards and recognitions.

AID is committed to the cause of alleviating poverty in India, measuring progress with the yardsticks of self-reliance, social justice, people's involvement, and volunteerism. AID supports projects that empower poor and marginalized communities in India through developmental efforts in areas such as women's issues, education, literacy, micro-credit, community health, sustainable livelihoods, watershed development and environmental issues.

When the deadly Tsunami hit, AID Chennai, having had a grass-roots presence in Tamil Nadu for over 7 years immediately mobilized their volunteers and NGO partners (such as such as Tamil Nadu Science Forum, People's Health Movement, Pratham, Bhoomika) to coordinate relief activities in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kanyakumari, Karaikal and 5 areas around Chennai, while AID Banglore and other AID chapters in India are surveying affected regions in Andhra Pradesh and groups to work with in the Andman Nicobar Islands. AID’s efforts are focused in affected regions where foreign and/or govt. relief efforts are scarce. More details at : http://survivors.aidindia.org

In the US, AID with its 50 chapters is taking on the role of fundraising, logistics and coordination of volunteers and material to India, and they have already setup a task force to review projects in mid-term relief and long-term rehabilitation efforts in India. AID US has already started publishing a Tsunami newsletter to keep donors up-to-date on the activities on the ground around their relief and rehabilitation work. You can read the first issue at : http://www.aidprojects.org/trac/

What is unique about this effort is that AID is a completely volunteer run organization – no paid staff! All volunteers (professionals and students) have day jobs, some have decided to go back to India as full time social workers and have been working with NGOs in various places in India.

There has been tremendous support for AID’s relief efforts both here in the US and in India because they have proven to be an organization that works with the people at the grassroots in a participatory way, and also incorporates ideas developed within village communities to affect change in their own lives.

AID is using their experience from their past relief and rehabilitation efforts including the Orissa Cyclone, Gujarat Earthquake and Assam/Bihar floods to constantly improve their reaction, reach, and approach to working with people in relief, rehabilitation and sustainable developmental work.

(AID) Boston chapter in collaboration with NetSAP Boston and Tantric Bar and Grill is bringing the first awareness-fundraiser event after the Tsunami Disaster hit South Asia just over 2 weeks ago. AID Chennai, having had a grass-roots presence in Tamil Nadu for over 7 years immediately mobilized their volunteers and NGO partners (such as such as Tamil Nadu Science Forum, People's Health Movement, Pratham, Bhoomika) to coordinate relief activities in Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, Kanyakumari, Karaikal and 5 areas around Chennai, while AID Banglore and other AID chapters in India are surveying affected regions in Andhra Pradesh and groups to work with in the Andman Nicobar Islands. AID’s efforts are focused in affected regions where foreign and/or govt. relief efforts are scarse. More details at : http://survivors.aidindia.org

This fundraiser is an opportunity for donors in the New England area to hear about all the different issues that AID Chennai volunteers are facing on the ground in their relief activities. The fundraiser will be at Tantric Bar and Grill and include a presentation, dinner and art auction where local artists, George Oommen, Rob Gonsalves, Sonika Mehra, Vassia Alaykova and Vivek Mehra, have donated some of their beautiful works for a cause.

About NetSAP : http://www.netsapboston.org

The Network of South Asian Professionals of Boston is a professional, not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving the professional, political, cultural and civic needs of the South Asian community in the Greater Boston area. We are committed to providing opportunities for professional development, political participation and community service to those interested in South Asian American affairs.

NetSAP Boston was founded in 1995 to provide a forum to communicate about business, politics, social trends and issues affecting the South Asian community. We seek to unite South Asian professionals, nurture leadership, and build partnerships in the New England area through professional programs, networking events, and community service efforts. NetSAP Boston also collaborates with other chapters of the Network of Indian Professionals of North America.

|