BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Gladys Sumithra
(Treasurer & Founder Trustee)
Holds a PhD in economics from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. She was the Senior Director of the Planning Department, Government of Karnataka where she served for 25 years. On retirement she was reappointed as Senior Scientist in the office of the Additional Chief Secretary for Public Works and Housing.
Dr. Gladys Sumithra is actively involved in civil society development and continues to be on the Governing Board of several educational institutions and Non-Profit Organizations in Bangalore.
Mr. Thomas Paul
(Managing Trustee)
Holds a Master’s degree in Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. After working for a private firm in Gujarat for 10 years, he moved on to the social development sector and was the Superintendent/Director of the Methodist Technical Institute at Vadodara, Gujarat. He later took over as the General Secretary of Skills for Progress, an all-India association of over 200 private vocational training institutions across India.
For the past few years, he has been supporting various international organizations as a freelance consultant. His main forte has been community development and livelihood training for marginalized children and youth. His passion has been to help people realize and unleash the God given potential within them. Presently he manages the day-to-day functioning of Development Focus.
Dr. P. Sethu
(Founder Trustee)
Is the Director of Indienhilfe, India - a charitable organization that empowers children belonging to economically and socially weaker sections in different states of India. Analysing and finding solutions for empowerment of communities especially among children, youth and women has been his passion for the last three decades.
Besides serving on the Board of several organizations and institutions, he renders consultation on administration, finance, and project launching. Dr. Sethu has organized national and regional events, seminars and conferences, and has also led international and national delegations in India and abroad.
Dr. Hannah Anandaraj
(Trustee)
Holds a doctorate in Social Sciences and has expertise in Social Work with a focus on Medical and Psychiatry. Dr. Anandaraj worked as a Reader (Associate Professor) in Osmania University. She has many publications to her credit. She also serves as a guide to research students. Dr. Hannah Anandaraj has served on boards of several organizations and committees. She was the Chairperson of the board of World Vision India for several years and was also on the World Vision International Board.
She is currently an Evaluator for a Child Safety Net programme in Vijayawada region of Andhra Pradesh. Coming alongside, she encourages and enables Child-Centred NGOs to build on their strengths and overcome challenges, which has been a deeply rewarding experience.
TEAM
Masillamani
(Team Leader)
Development Focus works for the upliftment of the last 20% in the socio-economic strata of society. It is a very challenging task to facilitate the development process of this group. These communities are neglected both by Government and Private development players. They are considered as mere vote banks, beneficiaries, cheap labourers - overused and abused. They neither participate nor are given opportunities to participate in aspects of life that affects them.
Development Focus is enabling these people to participate in their development process, by empowering them and going down to their level. Relevant education, information and technology are taken at their doorstep.
Development Focus believes that people have the power and potential to change. I am proud to be a part of this team that strives to cater to the development process of these neglected and abused sections of our community.
Betrayan Samuel
(Project Coordinator)
Working with Development Focus gives me the opportunity to reach out to unreached communities, especially children and youth. It gives me immense joy and motivation to see a community on their path to progress. Although I work I Bangalore, my frequent travels to the field in Jharkhand helps me understand that children and youth have huge potential that needs to be unleased. They only lack the access and right opportunities. It makes me realise that there is so much more that needs to be done. As a team member at Development Focus, I understand the noble intent with which this outreach is done. Limited resource can never be an impediment to reach our goal.
As Nelson Mandela says ‘‘In a world that so often decries the apathy of its youth, we can open our arms to millions of adolescents eager to contribute their new ideas and bounding enthusiasm.”
It gives me immense pleasure to be part of the journey to unleash the potential of hundreds of children and youth in remote tribal villages.
Diptty Joseph (Programme Coordinator)
As I was growing up, one of my dreams was to bring positive changes and make the world a better place. However, as the days and years went by, I realised that it is not easy to change the world. I soon realised that the small things we do in life can create an impact on others and in society. In other words, through our actions we can make a difference in the world. The first and the foremost step for this is self-transformation. As Mother Teresa says, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
Through my work at Development Focus (DF), I attempt to cast the stone that creates ripples.
My role at DF has been to support the most marginalised sections of society, especially children and women. Not many of us have the privilege of getting involved in meaningful jobs to create the so called ripple effects. I am extremely grateful that I am involved in my job where these small steps of mine will bring long lasting and positive changes.
Sanjana
(Accounts cum Admin Officer)
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience” - Eleanor Roosevelt
My role as Accounts Officer enables me to put my expertise and energy for social good. It presents me the opportunity to give back to society through good accounting. My position demands maintaining accurate and detailed accounts not only for DF but for all the Implementing Partners too. I strongly believe that my work contributes to the purpose of my life.
Emmanuel Raj
(Project Officer)
My passion is to reach the unreached. I have been Involved in the development activities of DF for over 14 years. As an Project Officer, I get opportunities to work in rural areas of North Karnataka. Working with rural youth and adults has given me a good understanding of their lifestyle and livelihood. I will do my best to facilitate transformation in the lives of the underprivileged. My dream is to travel places to reach the unreached and to engage myself in their spiritual and social development.
Deepika Ekka (Asst. Project officer)
I am having an amazing time at Development Focus since I joined the team in 2021. As a MSW graduate, I have always enjoyed exploring new places and connecting with people from different walks of life. I love travelling because it has taught me that the world is much bigger when we open our hearts to those around us.
At present, I am involved in the implementation of a Leadership Academy project that trains 'Change Agents’. Youth from the local tribal communities are trained to be agents of change among their peers and their community. This experience has enriched my life too!
Huge thanks to everyone at Development Focus, who have opened so many doors for me!