Two and half decades ago, two illiterate tribal families of Yerukala community settled down in a small village of Pesarakunta in Rapthadu mandal of Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, which today has 58 families.

Unlike habitations of Yerukala community, this village boasts of highly educated younger generation. It has five engineering students of them one is studying in IIT, Kharagpur, two medical students and others pursuing various courses. All the children are pursuing their education in prestigious schools and colleges. The entire first generation of the village is illiterate and eked out a living by making baskets and working as farm hands.

It all changed in 1993, when two Self Help Groups formed by the village women were given revolving fund of Rs 15,000 each and a loan of Rs 15,000 by DRDA. Sheep was bought and reared. Canara Bank’s Rs 2 lakh loan to the SHGs for procuring cows had ushered in a white revolution in the village and in a short time every household boasts of having two to three cows producing 20 liters of milk a day. On an average 2,000 liters’ of milk is supplied to the milk collection centers and the economy of the village has improved tremendously. Every household is getting an income of Rs 7,000 to Rs 15,000 per month.

The new earned respect had prompted the tribesmen to take a unanimous decision to give up drinking, for which the community was infamous for.

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Most of the people in Yerukala community are still living in sub-human standards and unaware of the opportunities/government schemes that are available for them. The awareness about these opportunities needs to be created among them. If you happen to know anyone from these backward communities, tell them about these opportunities.

The above article is proof enough that given an opportunity, this community people are capable of progressing economically.

All they need is a shot at it.