A few years ago while visiting family and friends in rural Andhra Pradesh, India, I witnessed the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS epidemic on the community. The lack of access to proper healthcare and the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS posed as a great socioeconomic threat. Women, who were infected due to high risk behavior of their husbands, were being thrown out of their homes, and children became orphaned as a result of this epidemic. After witnessing such human disaster, it was hard to walk away and think HIV/AIDS as ‘others’ problem. A few friends and I got together, raised funds and sent them to LEPRA SOCIETY, a reputable public health organization. At the same time the Sreyassu (meaning ‘welfare’) project was initiated on the ground with the intention to serve the needs of HIV/AIDS infected people in twenty seven villages in rural Andhra Pradesh and Mobile Health Clinics to serve provide primary care services in remote areas of seventeen villages.

While doing the above work and establishing several linkages in the US and India, it dawned on us to establish a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising resources and awareness for human and economic development in these communities. Hence forth, we established Indo American Development Health Organization (IADHO) in 2006 and received the tax exempt status in October 2010. Ensuring proper access to healthcare and education can go a long away in eliminating poverty and building a healthy society. Ultimately, IADHO would like to work towards these goals, both in India and in the US:

➢  EMPOWER vulnerable people and marginalized communities and move them towards a better quality of life and dignity
➢  PARTNER with organizations with established good governance and implementation records to realize our goals of sustainable socio-economic development
➢  BUILD the bridges of human hope and happiness between US and India

We are excited for making a
sustainable difference and expanding our reach of impactful programs. Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Dr. Meera Boppanna, MD

Aids Day Celebrations
and Recognition