UnCaste India

The Association of Relief Volunteers (ARV) works directly with the Dalit people, formerly known as the Untouchable Caste, of India. ARV’s network of local human rights volunteers, led by Ravi Kumar, work together with Dalits to assure their survival, empowerment, and equality.

Mission

ARV's mission is to organize and empower the Dalit villages of India to demand their rights and entitlements from the state. ARV also aims to create community-based organizations to manage equal distribution of natural resources and promote advocacy with the state for policymaking that provides what disenfranchised communities are entitled to.

Survival, Empowerment, and Equality

ARV’s three-prong approach starts with giving these villages the tools they need for survival. By providing basic needs such as food, shelter, and medical supplies, ARV meets the individual demands of each village and supplies resources that the government is not providing. By showing success through these programs, ARV's goal is to involve the local government in these previously ignored villages.

Secondly, Ravi and his network of volunteers empower Dalit villagers through education and skills training so they may pursue better jobs. Under the caste system, Dalits were given the most menial and degrading jobs, and were made to believe they were not intelligent or capable enough to pursue other options. By leaving these jobs, they are able to not only increase their economic status, but also begin to believe in their own self worth.

Finally, ARV works to achieve equality for the Dalit people by increasing awareness about caste discrimination, providing access to legal aid, and helping the Dalits become aware of their own rights and entitlements. The Indian government guarantees certain rights to its citizens, including the right to food, and ARV helps the Dalits demand what they are owed.

Looking Forward

Ravi and his volunteers are currently working with the villages of Kothasatram-Indiranagar, Gummallapadu, Kokkiroylanka, Prathikollalanka, Chevuru, and Jangampadu. They have built homes for 129 families and are planning to expand housing, child nutrition, and education initiatives to help 25 villages in Andhra Pradesh. ARV will also be lobbying the Indian government to address the lack of safe drinking water and employment opportunities in the Kolleru Lake region of Andhra Pradesh.

How You Can Help

To help promote survival, empowerment, and equality among the Dalit people of India you can donate or become a volunteer. Together, we can help UnCaste India.