Dr. Reddy's Foundation for Human and Social Development

DRFHSD focused on improving the lives of the underprivileged through its innovative programs. Dr. Reddy said, "The Foundation had become the laboratory for catalyzing reproducible, sustainable, innovative experiments for social change."In 1996, DRFHSD took up its first project - Micro Entrepreneurs in Sanitation (MES). MES initially started off with an idea to improve sanitation in urban areas by encouraging community participation in the cleanliness and sanitation program.

Under MES, committees were formed in different localities, and these committees employed street cleaners (who were working with the Municipal Corporation) for garbage collection and disposal. Initially the program started off well but over a period of time people lost interest in the program. DRFHSD realized that to make the program successful, it required people who had long-term interest in the program. It was then that DRFHSD decided to involve rag pickers in the project......