RYDA was founded to promote the position of the poor disadvantaged people through assisting them to increase their socio-economic independence. The organisation pays special attention to the youth, women and disadvantaged rural-urban children. RYDA's principal mission is to empower people by equipping them with information skills, and providing them with the opportunities that enhance and strengthen their potential to influence their own development. RYDA runs programmes in Training, Social and Educational Training and Social Work. Within these programmes, health, income generation workshops and seminars, food, security, water and sanitation, among other activities, are addressed. RYDA boasts of its novel approach towards developmental problems, where participation of the people in deciding and influencing their development is central.