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Since its founding in 1969, Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM), a non-profit NGO, has championed comprehensive community development by working directly with the people of the community.
  During the last 3 decades, under the dynamic leadership of Chennupati Vidya, former member of Indian Parliament, with executive assistance from her daughters, Dr. Deeksha, G. Rashmi and B. Keerthi, VMM has grown from a pioneer service group to a major development organization, extending services throughout urban and rural Andhra Pradesh.
  Working with a network of NGO’s, VMM’s strategy is to support individuals to participate in improving the social, economic and cultural environment of their community.
  Through community organization and empowerment, VMM’s activities are focused on women, orphans and vulnerable children. Programs include: a women’s shelter, a community based nutrition food unit, a workers training and skill development centre, the Krishna Community Health Intervention Project, PLHA Support Groups, Child Support Groups, Non-formal Education for child heads of household, foster grannies, home and community based HIV/AIDS care, rural centers and a night shelter for street children.
 
  Child Support Groups were formed to alleviate stigma and discrimination of HIV infected and affected children. HIV infected and affected children and non-HIV infected and affected children meet together and interact in games, songs and discussion.  Teachers, clergy and parents are often included. Such groups have opened the door for HIV+ children to attend school and gain acceptance of their teachers and peers.
 
  Home Visits in urban slums and rural villages support families living with HIV by following problems with health care, medications and nutritional needs.
 
  Rural Centers, such as those in Guntur and Tenali, provide HIV/AIDS education, treatment, PLHA support, home care and nutrition.

 
  A newly constructed Night Shelter for Street Children, dedicated in July, is open to the street children of Vijayawada, especially those working in or near the trucking district.