On the evening of March 22, 2025, community members from District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia gathered in Fairfax, VA, for a heartfelt and inspiring event: “An Evening of Gratitude and Impact.” The occasion marked the visit of Director at Rural Development Trust (RDT), and President of the Board of Vicente Ferrer Foundation USA (VFF USA), Moncho Ferrer. It was a night filled with stories of transformation, collective hope, and the unwavering power of compassion.
As someone born in India and the son of Vicente and Anne Ferrer—founders of RDT—Moncho Ferrer has spent his life upholding their legacy. With a degree in International Relations from the University of Keele and training from the Stanford Executive Program, Moncho began his journey with RDT in 2002. Since assuming the role of Director of Programs in 2009, he has combined strategic leadership with deep empathy—mobilizing resources, launching initiatives for inclusive development, and working closely with marginalized communities.
Under his guidance, the India for India initiative was launched to engage Indian citizens and institutions in the fight against poverty. He has led impactful humanitarian efforts across India, advocated for inclusive sports programs, and fostered partnerships from grassroots to government bodies. Moncho is also an ambassador for the national Clean Indiacampaign in Anantapur and serves on the advisory board of the Smart AP Foundation, underscoring his commitment to systemic, community-led change.
During the event, Moncho reminded us of the enduring impact of our actions with the words: “A good action is never lost; it remains in some corner of the world forever.”
His message echoed through the testimonials shared that evening.
Subbu Garikapati, a longtime supporter who traveled from New York, shared: “Every penny contributed to RDT is totally used by RDT, reaching the poorest of poor people in our society without any hidden costs. This is my personal experience through three projects I have undertaken with them.”
Krishna Maddipatla, Chairman of the Maddipatla Foundation, spoke with deep emotion: “I support education because I believe it is a fundamental right of every citizen. I pray to God every day to give me the strength to help others.”
Personally, what drew me to VFF USA is its unique and deeply respectful approach—not one of temporary aid, but of lasting empowerment. The work being done across healthcare, education, sustainable agriculture, women’s empowerment, and infrastructure aligns with my values of dignity, resilience, and equity. It is about equipping rural communities to build their own futures.
One of the most touching moments of the evening came from my son, Mahat Palle, who also contributes to the Sponsor a Child program. He expressed, “This is the most gratitude I have felt in my life.”
His words were a powerful reminder of how giving can shape not only lives abroad but our own hearts at home.
This gathering was not only a celebration of achievements—it was a call to action. A call to contribute our time, talent, and treasure toward building a more just and equitable world. I closed the evening with deep gratitude for every individual who attended, gave generously, and continues to support the mission of VFF USA and RDT.
To learn more or support their work, visit: www.vffusa.org or www.rdtfvf.org.
Let us continue to act with purpose—and may those good actions echo through generations.
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article/column are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of South Asian Herald.
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