VGKK

From Wild India

VGKK stands for "Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra", an NGO based in BR Hills. The NGO was started in 1980 by Dr Sudarshan,a medical doctor. It is involved in health, community development, and education. The services of the organization mainly cater to the Soliga tribe inhabiting the forests in the four talukas of Yelandur, Kollegal, Chamarajanagar, and Nanjanagud. It provides primary health care, education and livelihood security through vocational training for members of the Soliga tribe.

VGKK has set the following objectives for its integrated tribal development work:

• To realise the vision of a self-reliant, united and progressive Soliga tribal community.
• To identify the latent human potential of the Soligas through motivation, education and training, and through building up their self-confidence in developing themselves. In the process, to encourage them retain their culture and, at the same time, adjust to the changing circumstances.
• To build up people's organisations such as Abhivruddhi Sanghas - a forum to take up the fight for welfare, justice and fundamental rights. VGKK strongly believes that tribals are an inseparable part of forest life. Their future depends entirely on preventing their alienation from nature. Along with the de-alienation process, they need to face the challenges of modern civilization.

VGKK works in the areas of health, education, community organisation, cottage industry and vocational training, agriculture, housing and cooperatives.