About the project
Funded by
The Disaster Resilience Project is a proactive initiative designed to mitigate the impact of natural disasters by enhancing connectivity in rural areas. The project connects 200 disaster-prone villages to the internet, enabling them to receive timely information about impending disasters and to maintain communication with the outside world after a disaster occurs
This initiative is powered by the Internet Society Foundation (ISF) and led by IEEE India Philanthropy.
Our partners:
BSNL
Railtel
Education departments
Disaster Management Authorities
Primary Health Centers
In collaboration with key partners like BSNL and Railtel, we aim to empower communities in Karnataka and Kerala by providing essential internet access, helping them stay informed and connected during crises.
“Our Goal”
“Transform the lives of rural communities through the power of the internet, especially in disaster-prone selected villages in two states (Karnataka and Kerala) across India”
Objective of the program
Impact in Numbers - Real Lives, Real Change
Training Local Heroes to Sustain Change
Our mission does not simply stop at providing the internet. To ensure long-term sustainability, we have trained over 500 local technicians in internet deployment and repair. These trained technicians are now the driving force of connectivity in these regions, providing on-the-ground expertise and ensuring that villages can stay connected, even when disaster strikes.
Expanding the Reach in 2026
By 2026, we aim to extend our reach to 150+ more villages in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and additional regions in Karnataka and Kerala.
“We are not just connecting villages. We are creating disaster-resilient communities that can thrive, no matter the odds.”
Be Part of Something Bigger: Join Us in Changing the Future
Why support us?
Your investment can be the key to expanding this critical mission. By funding this project, you’re directly contributing to:
Building disaster-resilient communities through connectivity
Creating educational opportunities for children in remote areas
Sustaining long-term local employment through technician training who can serve their communities for years to come.
Empowering vulnerable regions with reliable disaster alerts and uninterrupted connectivity during crises.
Fuel Change, Empower Lives!
Our Stories of Impact
In September 2018, GHPS Jodupala in Karnataka faced near closure after a devastating landslide displaced families and emptied classrooms. Despite these challenges, Headmistress Damayanthi and her dedicated team of five teachers kept the school alive, even converting it into a relief centre with support from the Block Education Officer.
Hope returned when IEEE India Philanthropy through their Disaster Resilience Project funded by ISF intervened. It was a turning point for GHPS Jodupala. What was once a school on the brink of closure became a model of rural educational revival. The introduction of resources like high-speed internet, a 75-inch smart panel, and a solar-powered UPS brought 21st-century learning into a school that had lost nearly everything.
The support did more than just upgrade infrastructure; it restored dignity and purpose to a community in crisis. The digital classroom attracted students back, renewed teacher motivation, and powered children with access to global knowledge. The school evolved into a place of innovation, sparking curiosity, creativity, and continuity in learning despite geographical and socio-economic hardships.
The ISF funded IEEE India Philanthropy’s project impact extended beyond education. It rekindled hope, strengthened community ties, and demonstrated how technology, when combined with commitment, can reshape futures even in the most remote corners.
From the brink of closure to a model for education revival
Empowering Learning in Disaster-Prone Regions: A Digital Leap for GHPS Bettadhamane
Located deep in the Western Ghats, Government Higher Primary School (GHPS), Bettadhamane serves a community often affected by natural disasters and limited infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the school has always remained committed to nurturing young minds. But like many rural schools, a lack of digital access had long kept its students disconnected from the modern educational landscape.
Thanks to the generous support from the Internet Society Foundation (ISF) and IEEE India Philanthropy, GHPS Bettadhamane received a digital television and reliable internet connectivity—a turning point in the school’s journey toward digital empowerment.This intervention sparked a wave of transformation.
Teachers now use the digital TV to show educational videos, virtual experiments, and animated lessons that bring concepts to life, especially in science and mathematics. This has helped students better understand complex topics. Internet access has enabled both students and faculty to tap into a world of information. Online learning portals, digital textbooks, and even live sessions from education platforms are the resources which were once previously out of reach. The use of visual and internet-based content has significantly improved attention spans and classroom participation. Students are more curious, motivated, and willing to ask questions. The school has become a local model for integrating digital tools in rural education, inspiring neighboring schools and generating community pride.
These resources are vital to our educational environment,” says Nagrathna, Headmistress of GHPS Bettadhamane. “They inspire our students to engage actively and explore independently. We are truly grateful for this support.”
This initiative has not only enhanced academic outcomes but also boosted the confidence and aspirations of students who now see a world of opportunities beyond their village. GHPS Bettadhamane stands as a testament to how thoughtful philanthropy and technology can reshape the future of education—one school at a time.
