Audrie Reed

BA Social Policy

“Why did you decide to study at Anglia Ruskin University?
Because of the percentage of mature students studying at ARU and the close proximity of the University to my home.

Why did you choose to study your course?
My interest in social problems, such as homelessness, drug abuse and teenage pregnancy, is what directed me to the Social Policy course.

What have you enjoyed about the course?
The diversity of the modules, the different tutors' styles. Research, debates and writing assignments.

What was the best bit about your placements?
Being given free reign to explore the placements most interesting/useful.

How will you use the qualification once the course is complete?
Being taught how to research, debate, reason and analyse are the most useful part of my qualification. The ability to write comprehensive and lengthy reports is invaluable. Without this degree I would not have been able to successfully set up and run the charity.

Audrie's charity work in India
When starting my Social Policy degree I had no idea what path I might take. Towards my final year I was drawn into the voluntary/charitable sector and was fortunate to be led to India. Setting up and running a charity is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. This is my story:

How did it all start?
In 2003, before starting my degree as a mature student at Anglia, I took a holiday to India and met Diana from Canada. When the Tsunami struck on 26th December 2004 she was back in India, on the east coast. Desperate messages flew between us - donations were needed to enable her to buy stoves and ice boxes to help the homeless families. The following year, on my 50th birthday, instead of gifts I asked for donations for Tsunami victims and raised over £500. The following January I went to the village of Gingicalany to meet the villagers and after hearing and seeing the difference my small donation had made to so many families I decided I had to continue fundraising.

Whom do we help
We help poor rural Dalit communities who receive little or no support from the Indian government or other NGOs. We act on need, working on a personal level, and by conducting village surveys we find the households in the most abject poverty.

What have we done so far?
Since 2005 we have spent £7,387 and completed 21 projects, benefitting over 1,500 people in 3 villages. We have provided opportunities for long-term sustainable incomes by providing things such as: 10 dairy cows and calves; a fishing boat and accessories; sewing machines and rope making equipment. We have also supported projects that benefit the whole community such as water tanks, bicycle rental business and pay phones, and through a micro loan scheme we started up businesses including a general store, tailoring outlet and barber shop.

During my trip earlier this year we donated school benches and shading for Ragavendra School in Auroville, and ceiling fans and sports equipment for Pombur School. We also provided 5 more cows and calves and built cow shelters in the village of Pombur, near Pondicherry.

What makes us different?
VOS is unique in that we offer our time and skills voluntarily to realise the charity's mission, covering our own costs when travelling to India. I cut every possible cost - I manage our website, design and print brochures, portfolios and posters and do the video production. All this, plus fundraising and presenting to schools and clubs certainly keeps me busy. My short films can be viewed on www.villageoutreach.co.uk
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