Our Founders: Vicente and Anne Ferrer
Vicente Ferrer and Anne Perry arrived in Ananthapuramu in January 1969 and went on to establish the Women Development Trust (WDT) in 1982, laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to rural development and social justice.
Vicente Ferrer (Barcelona, Spain, 1920 – Anantapur, India, 2009), guided by a deep sense of compassion and service, he dedicated his life to supporting rural communities and strengthening their access to dignity, opportunity, and wellbeing.
Anne Perry (Essex, England, 1947), an experienced journalist, arrived in India at the age of 16 as part of an overland journey with her family. She completed her studies in India and began working with a Mumbai-based news magazine, Current. Her work brought her into close contact with social issues and development efforts taking shape across the country.
The two met in 1968 during an interview, where Anne was deeply moved by Vicente’s vision and his unwavering belief in the power of collective action. She soon joined his efforts, and together they returned to Anantapur with two other volunteers in 1969. Their shared commitment to humanitarian values, rooted in concern for others and a belief in “work beyond duty” – shaped the early philosophy of WDT.