Partnership in Action:
How AVI USA and IDRF Empower Women and Communities in India
Earlier this fall, Binah Thillairajah and Matthew Andrews, AVI USA’s Director of Development and Executive Director, visited our long-time collaborators, the India Disaster and Relief Fund (IDRF). Over the years, IDRF has consistently supported and amplified donations for Auroville projects, demonstrating a track record of visible impact in outreach, education, and women’s empowerment in underserved communities.
During their visit, Binah and Matthew participated in the IDRF Gala. The theme of the gala centered on Women’s Empowerment and Auroville’s Eco Femme was featured in the video montage that night. AVI USA is pleased to to connect our project partners to IDRF who within their development focus areas provide matching funds to several AVI USA project partners.Through the collaboration with IDRF AVI USA has been able to quadruple donations to several projects during the the December matching campaignBinah and Matthew connected with their counterparts all seated alongside Vandana Vaidya, Rajeev Jain, and the core IDRF team responsible for making the organization’s programs happen. They also joined the volunteer initiative welcoming guests and managing registration.The evening featured inspiring presentations and videos highlighting IDRF’s work — including a short segment on Eco Femme, which received warm responses from attendees. The gala was a celebration of IDRF’s achievements and a successful fundraising night, connecting a network of passionate supporters committed to uplifting communities. Many attendees were impressed by the depth of IDRF’s programs and their tangible outcomes in education, health, women’s empowerment, and disaster relief.
A highlight of the visit was meeting Dr. Vinod Prakash, IDRF’s founder. Now 93 and visually impaired, Dr. Prakash has devoted his life to empowering marginalized communities. Binah and Matthew presented him with a Matrimandir tile, evoking memories of his first visits to Auroville and his sister’s volunteer work at Udavi School. He was deeply moved by the gift, which celebrated both his personal connection to Auroville and his lifelong dedication to service. The team also met his son, Gautam, and several IDRF leaders, further strengthening AVI USA’s ties with the organization.
IDRF’s philosophy emphasizes putting power, not charity, into the hands of the poor, focusing on children and women as catalysts for sustainable change. Their programs enhance access to education, health, agriculture, water, sanitation, and infrastructure, while also providing rapid response to disaster-affected communities. By empowering marginalized people with education, livelihood skills, and self-governance capabilities, IDRF ensures that communities can take charge of their own development.
For AVI USA, the visit reaffirmed the value of long-term partnerships that amplify impact. Together, AVI USA and IDRF continue to support initiatives that create meaningful, lasting change in underserved regions of India, providing opportunities for children and women to thrive with dignity.