In 2013, Amma launched Amrita SeRVe—Self-Reliant Villages. Her mission is to empower impoverished villages across India through sustainable development. Farmers produce most of the country’s food, yet many of them live in poverty. Amma says we must move forward with one heart and one mind to protect and serve them.

Today, we have reached people in more than 1,200 villages across 27 states. The solutions are found through a combined effort of Amrita University’s research centres and community volunteers.

Amrita SeRVe’s focus is on seven areas that start from basic needs and then lead to a state of complete independence. Our work is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Health

Local women are trained as health workers to monitor and support each villager’s wellbeing. They especially care for pregnant women and children and have helped save lives. Doctors, nurses and pharmacists from Amrita Hospital also visit remote areas to hold medical camps. 

Water & Sanitation

India has long faced the challenge of providing safe drinking water to people across rural areas. We are improving existing water distribution systems and have developed new filtration technologies. The goal is to reach 10 million people across the country. 

We have also broken new ground by training women in the construction of toilets. The Govt of India has declared 12 of our villages Open Defecation Free. As well, the village health workers regularly hold sanitation and hygiene awareness sessions, especially with children. 

Education

After school tutoring uses tablet technology to immerse the children. We focus on ensuring that girls continue their studies instead of working in the fields or at home, as well as supporting drop-outs to return to school and complete their studies. Village workers also reach out with literacy training for adults, especially women.

Agriculture

Farmers have been inspired to form collectives that collaborate in growing crops and avoid middle men to take their produce to market. Many have come out of debt, earned profits, and prevented the desperation that leads to suicide. Moving forward, there is the development of organic crops to support the environment.

Income Generation

We provide training in crafts and trades not reliant upon changing weather patterns. We also act as a support network for villagers to form self-help groups for economic independence. There is a specific focus on empowering women to set up small businesses and become self-confident. 

Eco-friendly Infrastructure

We have built solar and hydro microgrids in isolated areas—places where blackouts could last for days, if not weeks. Today there are 40 generators in 13 villages in 8 states. As well, we have constructed homes across 11 states. These are communities where people have been freed from the life-threatening conditions that were simply the norm of their daily lives.

Self-Empowerment

Our concrete actions have helped people re-establish themselves in ancient cultural traditions. We are supporting the revival of yoga & meditation practices, traditional medicine, and heritage artwork, song & dance. This strengthens values such as self-confidence, communal living, and tuning with Mother Nature.