Conservation, Elephants, and Wayanad

By on June 26, 2014   /   Agriculture & Farming Cooperative, Center of Development, Education, Life in India, Natural Resource Management, Reflections   /   Leave a comment

Like the beginning of a summer rainstorm, images of endangered plants and animals would trickle into my mind when I heard the word conservation. Yet after conducting research on the tensions between farmers and environmental conservationists in Wayanad, I realized my definition of conservation was misguided. True conservation is inclusive in that it centers on people, animal, and plant preservation and growth. Many in Wayanad, however, are unaware of conservation’s holistic attributes because conservationists and

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Counseling Center Inauguration

By on June 26, 2014   /   Center of Development, Children's Club, Education, Empowering Women, Life in India, Reflections   /   Leave a comment

The inauguration of the counseling center and study aid distribution to school going children was held on May 30, 2014 at Profugo Development Initiatives. Roughly 100 plus people participated. Mr. Aneesh James welcomed guests and explained the work of the counseling center and the study aid grant. The counseling center will provide clients with help in study skills, memory, concentration, confidence, tensions, etc. We will also aid the cessation of bad habits and help cultivate

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Breaking Free: Coming Out of Our Shells in Prashanthagiri!

By on June 26, 2014   /   Center of Development, Children's Club, Education, English Language School, Life in India, Reflections   /   Leave a comment

When asked to teach a Summer Art Camp at Profugo’s Center of Development for the kids of the Prashanthagiri village, I was excited, to say the least. At the time, I knew that this opportunity was going to be a complete 180° change for me; although I had lived and worked in India for nearly a year prior to my time in Prashanthagiri, I spent the majority of my time in Calcutta, one of the

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Agrodiversity and Sustainability!

By on April 26, 2014   /   Agriculture & Farming Cooperative, Center of Development, Education, Empowering Women, Life in India   /   Leave a comment

An existing problem with Wayanad’s farming community is not a lack of crop success; rather there is success…of the same crops! Cash crops such as rubber, black pepper, and coffee are three of Wayanad’s principle crops. These usually yield economic growth for the developing farmer; however, Wayanad’s farmers favor these crops to such an extent that the market is saturated; thus leading to reduced profits. In other words, too many farmers are growing coffee, rubber,

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Profugo’s First Medical Camp!

By on April 25, 2014   /   Center of Development, Empowering Women, Health & Wellness, Life in India   /   Leave a comment

Our service area, Prashanthagiri, is in dire need of regular medical care. The nearest medical post available in private or government facilities is located in Mananthavady, roughly 15 kilometers or a 1.5 hour bus ride away. For major and minor ailments, people have to commute this distance for medical consultation and treatment.  When transportation has to be hired, as ambulance services are not available, the minimum cost is 400 rupees, which equals 2 days’ wages.

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