“If someone had told me years ago that I would end up in social welfare, I wouldn’t have believed it. The real turning point came after I moved to Khammam and saw firsthand how young girls were dropping out of school, not because they didn’t want to learn, but because of issues like menstrual health, hygiene, nutrition, and financial struggles. Hearing their stories and seeing their determination made me feel that something had to be done.

That’s how My People Welfare Organisation began in 2015. I started by organising small awareness sessions in schools, talking about menstrual health and hygiene. Slowly, the work expanded — we began distributing sanitary napkins, providing nutrition support, and helping students from low-income families continue their education. Over time, many girls who once hesitated to attend school started returning with confidence.

As our efforts grew, we realised that empowering women was just as important. Many women in Khammam and nearby villages had skills but no means to earn. We started training programmes in tailoring, food processing, and small-scale crafts. With community help, we distributed sewing machines and encouraged them to start home-based work. Today, many of them are financially independent and supporting their families.

During the pandemic lockdowns, our volunteers stepped in to help families struggling for food and essentials. We organised large-scale distribution drives for cooked meals, drinking water, groceries, and hygiene kits. We also ensured nutrition support reached children, elderly residents, and single mothers who were most affected.

Last year, when heavy floods struck Khammam, we saw the same urgency again. We set up temporary shelters, distributed food and water, and worked closely with local communities to provide relief and rehabilitation. For tribal families, we continue to conduct regular health and awareness camps, ensuring that help reaches even remote areas.

This work has never been about scale or recognition. It’s about standing beside people when they need someone to rely on. Every woman who starts earning, every child who stays in school, and every family that receives a warm meal during a crisis reminds me that progress begins with small, consistent steps. Social work has given me purpose and a community that believes in change — not in words, but in action.”

• Sridevi Madireddy, Social Worker