Over the past 15 years, AID has earned the trust of some of the most dedicated, grassroots workers in India and for several years has sought to make more meaningful and long term commitments to partners who have helped us understand ground realities, choose effective interventions, and intimately involve volunteers in thinking and acting on key development issues such as natural resources and livelihoods.

AID chapters, in close touch with partners and jeevansaathis working on the ground, learning about strengths and weaknesses of various efforts, are able to maintain continuity of support and depth of understanding over several years. Chapters must also have financial stability as well as a critical mass of committed volunteers who will stay involved with a collaboration even though they may graduate or change jobs. Living so far from rural India, do volunteers believe they have a meaningful role to play? As more volunteers are saying "I do," AID is able not only to offer higher quality of support to our long term partners, but also to take on serious responsibilities such as facilitating proper implementation of the recently passed Right to Information and National Rural Employment Guarantee Acts which affect millions.

We are confident that the community will join us and assure that we meet these challenges.
Aravinda, Jeevansaathi