About Us
Padala Charitable Trust (PCT) is a non-governmental organization established in 2002, with a mission to transform the lives of students in government schools across rural and remote villages in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Founded by Surya Prasad Padala, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and former US-based software consultant, PCT started with a vision to give back to society, inspired by the financial support he received from friends, teachers, and non-profits for his education. Initially focusing on providing scholarships to bright yet underprivileged students, PCT expanded its initiatives over time, recognizing deeper issues within the education system. This led to the inception of various programs aimed at empowering students both academically and personally.
Our primary focus lies in partnering with government schools. We have carefully designed two types of programs to address the diverse needs of the students coming from underprivileged backgrounds. The first category includes Individual Empowerment Programs, which provide financial assistance, material support, personalized guidance, and mentoring to underprivileged students, ensuring access to school education and higher education. The second category comprises Large Scale, classroom based Awareness Programs. These initiatives aim to address broader student audiences, especially from government schools, by identifying and raising awareness about key issues such as reproductive health, menstruation, child marriages, life skills education, career counselling, and child sexual abuse. In our Classroom-based Awareness Workshops, we employ carefully crafted presentations, informative videos, impactful storytelling, and interactive hands-on activities, By utilizing these diverse methods, we create an environment conducive to empathetic teaching and open dialogue, allowing us to address critical issues and ignite essential conversations among students.
In line with these initiatives, PCT has been recognized as a "Great Place to Work" for the year 2023-24, attesting to our exemplary workplace culture. Additionally, we have received the prestigious Guide Star Transparency Key International Award, underscoring our transparency and accountability. For the past many years, PCT has the government approvals to receive foreign funds (FCRA) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions.
We express sincere gratitude to our generous donors and sponsors whose financial support is the backbone of all our programs, enabling us to make a significant impact in the lives of students in government schools. We also extend heartfelt thanks to our programs and the government for their unwavering encouragement and collaboration. Together, we are making a difference.
Mission and Vision
Vision - A transformed India where every child and woman has equitable access to resources and opportunities, fostering a generation of empowered and responsible citizens.
Mission - Padala Charitable Trust is dedicated to fostering a brighter future with a mission statement of Encourage-Educate-Empower by:
ENCOURAGING academically talented children from financially disadvantaged families through financial assistance and comprehensive mentoring, enabling them to pursue higher education and achieve their full potential.
EDUCATING and EMPOWERING adolescents and women through impactful programs that cultivate self-confidence, clarity of thought, a thorough understanding of life beyond school, and improved health, hygiene, and sustainable livelihood opportunities, enabling them to lead healthier, more dignified, and economically independent lives, and to become confident, capable, and contributing members of society.
Core Values
Child-Centric
Approach
Placing the welfare of children at the heart of our efforts, ensuring every initiative revolves around their needs and well-being
Empathy
Listening, understanding, and acting with genuine compassion to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support.
Accountability &Transparency
Upholding accountability and practicing transparent principles, building trust through openness in our actions and decision-making.
Collaboration
Embracing the power of collaboration and interdependence to achieve more effective and sustainable outcomes in our mission.
Child-Centric
Approach
Placing the welfare of children at the heart of our efforts, ensuring every initiative revolves around their needs and well-being
Empathy
Listening, understanding, and acting with genuine compassion to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we support.
Accountability &Transparency
Upholding accountability and practicing transparent principles, building trust through openness in our actions and decision-making.
Collaboration
Embracing the power of collaboration and interdependence to achieve more effective and sustainable outcomes in our mission.
The Founder
Padala Surya Prasad
Founder
The founder of PCT, Padala Surya Prasad, hails from a lower middle-class family in rural India. His father was a small- time tailor and mother used to run a small grocery shop. He considers himself as a product of the scholarship program he received from BREAD Society - North South Foundation, India.
Despite securing top ranks in 10th class, Intermediate and Engineering Entrance Examination (EAMCET) it was not feasible for him to get into an Engineering College due to lack of finance. His villagers did some fundraising through a benefit show to help him financially. But this was not Sufficient to get into an Engineering College.
At this Critical junction of his life, the Scholarship he received from NSF propelled him to complete his B.Tech. These encounters of humanity and generosity that came by in his life, touched and changed him to his core.
PCT India For Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
PCT India For Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
