Empowering Communities:

Mobilising marginalised sections of society to raise awareness and self-confidence to unleash the potential within them.

Creating Opportunities:

Developing the capacities of local organisations to promote feasible, affordable and sustainable solutions thus increasing opportunities for them and future generations.

Strengthening Civil Society:

Mobilising the weaker sections of society to raise awareness of their rights and to claim their entitlements.

Dr. Gladys Sumithra (Treasurer & Founder Trustee)

Holds a PhD in economics from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. She was the Senior Director of the Planning Department, Government of Karnataka where she served for 25 years. On retirement she was reappointed as Senior Scientist in the office of the Additional Chief Secretary for Public Works and Housing.

Dr. Gladys Sumithra is actively involved in civil society development and continues to be on the Governing Board of several educational institutions and Non-Profit Organizations in Bangalore.

Dr. P. Sethu (Founder Trustee)

Is the Director of Indienhilfe, India - a charitable organization that empowers children belonging to economically and socially weaker sections in different states of India. Analysing and finding solutions for empowerment of communities especially among children, youth and women has been his passion for the last three decades.

Besides serving on the Board of several organizations and institutions, he renders consultation on administration, finance, and project launching. Dr. Sethu has organized national and regional events, seminars and conferences, and has also led international and national delegations in India and abroad.

Mr. Thomas Paul (Managing Trustee)

Holds a Master’s degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. After working for a private firm in Gujarat for 10 years, he moved on to the social development sector and was the Superintendent/Director of the Methodist Technical Institute at Vadodara, Gujarat. He later took over as the General Secretary of Skills for Progress, an all-India association of over 200 private vocational training institutions across India.

For the past few years, he has been supporting various international organizations as a freelance consultant. His main forte has been community development and livelihood training for marginalized children and youth. His passion has been to help people realize and unleash the God given potential within them. Presently he manages the day-to-day functioning of Development Focus.

Dr. Hannah Anandaraj (Trustee)

Holds a doctorate in Social Sciences and has expertise in Social Work with a focus on Medical and Psychiatry. Dr. Anandaraj worked as a Reader (Associate Professor) in Osmania University. She has many publications to her credit. She also serves as a guide to research students. Dr. Hannah Anandaraj has served on boards of several organizations and committees. She was the Chairperson of the board of World Vision India for several years and was also on the World Vision International Board.

She is currently an Evaluator for a Child Safety Net programme in Vijayawada region of Andhra Pradesh. Coming alongside, she encourages and enables Child-Centred NGOs to build on their strengths and overcome challenges, which has been a deeply rewarding experience.

Masillamani (Team Leader)

Development Focus works for the upliftment of the last 20% in the socio-economic strata of society. It is a very challenging task to facilitate the development process of this group. These communities are neglected both by Government and Private development players. They are considered as mere vote banks, beneficiaries, cheap labourers - overused and abused. They neither participate nor are given opportunities to participate in aspects of life that affects them.

Development Focus is enabling these people to participate in their development process, by empowering them and going down to their level. Relevant education, information and technology are taken at their doorstep.

Development Focus believes that people have the power and potential to change.

I am proud to be a part of this team that strives to cater to the development process of these neglected and abused sections of our community.

Betrayan Samuel (Project Coordinator)

I recently joined the Development Focus team as a Project Coordinator and am given the responsibility of coordinating the project, “Prevention and Protection of Tribal Youth from Unsafe Migration and Trafficking”. This project aims to instil dignity and value in the people whom we serve by creating opportunities for their youth in their own villages, so that they can stay back and live an honourable life. Our goal is to make the people understand that they have potential within themselves to make their life better.

I consider this as a great opportunity to serve marginalized communities, which was my primary desire. To strive for the transformation of individuals from among these communities gives me a great sense of fulfilment. I can see that Development Focus has real passion for the underprivileged in our society. I can learn a lot and involve myself as part of this team. I am privileged to be part of Development Focus.

Sanjana (Accounts cum Admin Officer)

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience” - Eleanor Roosevelt

My role as Accounts Officer enables me to put my expertise and energy for social good. It presents me the opportunity to give back to society through good accounting. My position demands maintaining accurate and detailed accounts not only for DF but for all the Implementing Partners too. I strongly believe that my work contributes to the purpose of my life.

Anita Bilung (Project Coordinator)

As a Postgraduate in Social Work who has specialized in Community Development, it gives me a great sense of satisfaction and fulfilment to be a part of the development Focus Team. I come with 9 years of experience working in the development sector across different parts of India. My expertise lies in managing diverse and multiple projects simultaneously.

My first assignment with Development Focus has been to coordinate a large adult Literacy Project. For me, the result of the project is not to just count the number of women and men who have completed the course and passed the final exam but to see lives transformed and the learners coming out of Darkness into Light. I am extremely satisfied to see this happening in the lives of several thousand women and men who have been denied opportunities to go to school and learn as a child. I consider myself to be very fortunate to work with multiple partners in different states of India to make a difference in the lives and future of poor and vulnerable people. Learning continuously helps me to adapt to the varying needs and changing dynamics of the different communities where we work. I have always tried to bring about growth and development of the organization while affirming the importance of teamwork and the wellbeing of colleagues.

On a personal note, I love exploring new places, networking and socializing with people. As a strong believer of organic food products, I spend my leisure time cultivating organic and sustainable Kitchen garden with the help of inhouse composting.

Emmanuel Raj (Asst. Project Officer)

My passion is to reach the unreached. I have been Involved in the development activities of DF for over 11 years. As an Assistant Project Officer, I get opportunities to work in rural areas of North Karnataka. Working with rural youth and adults has given me a good understanding of their lifestyle and livelihood. I will do my best to facilitate transformation in the lives of the underprivileged. My dream is to travel places to reach the unreached and to engage myself in their spiritual and social development.

Ramesh Lima (Project Coordinator)

I joined Development Focus as a Project Officer in March 2020 and got the wonderful opportunity to serve in the Odisha BridgeIT Project. This project aims to create livelihood opportunities for rural unemployed youth through entrepreneurship and help their communities by providing much needed online services.

I am honoured and proud to be a Team member of Development Focus. I have seen the misery of poverty, unemployment, hunger, and injustice, of the underprivileged and thought that I must do something, take some action. It is a great opportunity to give something back, share my skills, learn new skills, and help people for a better life. My aim is to focus on each entrepreneur, travel to the field, and fully immerse myself in their economic and social development.