The Impact of COVID-19 on Rural Communities

By on July 17, 2020   /   Agriculture & Farming Cooperative, Center of Development, Education, Empowering Women, Global Neighborhood, Health & Wellness, Life in India, Natural Resource Management, Reflections, The Grand Masala   /   Leave a comment

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected communities across the globe and presented  them with many challenges. Rural communities are facing unique challenges in response to the virus. Many residents are already plagued by economic instability and health-related issues, and the COVID-19 outbreak is not helping. The risks and challenges that are unique to rural communities mean their needs might get left behind in legislation or funding for treatment and care. Despite rural communities having less people,

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Community Member Spotlight: Sheeba Valady

By on May 13, 2020   /   Agriculture & Farming Cooperative, Center of Development, Education, Empowering Women, Food in India, Global Neighborhood, Health & Wellness, Life in India, Social Enterprise   /   Leave a comment

Like many women in Wayanad, Sheeba Valady seems like a person who can truly do it all.  Her seemingly endless capacity to be a skilled farmer, a strong leader, and exemplary mother is awe-inspiring. A visit to Sheeba Valady’s house allows any visitor to instantly witness her compelling personality and range of talents.  With a wide smile, she greets visitors with a bright enthusiasm.  In a swift manner, like that of a magician, Sheeba’s signature

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Functional Farming: Integrated Agricultural Systems

By on February 19, 2020   /   Agriculture & Farming Cooperative, Center of Development, Education, Empowering Women, Food in India, Global Neighborhood, Health & Wellness, Life in India, Natural Resource Management, Reflections, Social Fund   /   Leave a comment

Integrated Agricultural Systems are a sustainable practice that has economic, environmental, and social benefits. This farming technique is a “whole system” approach that utilizes existing biological relationships (Agriculture Sustainability Institute). It builds upon the concept of agroecology, which is the application of ecological principles to agricultural systems and practices.” (Oxford Dictionary) The goal of integrated agricultural systems is to minimize the amount of impact the agricultural process has on the environment while maximizing production yield.

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The Dual Season – Understanding Monsoons

By on October 11, 2019   /   Agriculture & Farming Cooperative, Center of Development, Education, Empowering Women, Food in India, Global Neighborhood, Health & Wellness, Life in India, Natural Resource Management, Reflections, The Grand Masala, Water for Life   /   Leave a comment

The monsoon season is a dynamic phenomenon that impacts life in many areas of the world. A monsoon is a seasonal change in wind patterns, resulting in extreme wet and dry seasons throughout the course of the year. Though they do exist in parts of North America, they are most commonly associated with nations along the Indian Ocean. It is no surprise then that those in Wayanad, near the Southwestern coast of India, are greatly

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Who’s Who in Profugo?

By on October 3, 2019   /   Agriculture & Farming Cooperative, Center of Development, Education, Empowering Women, English Language School, Global Neighborhood, Health & Wellness, Life in India, Natural Resource Management, Reflections, Social Enterprise, Social Fund, Tailoring Training Program, The Grand Masala   /   Leave a comment

The year is 2008. Jenny and Ashwin Koleth, along with friends, have spent countless hours on the ground and in the office preparing to launch their non-profit. They have seen the devastating effects of powerlessness in many places around the world, and they have decided to spark change. They are hopeful that all the work they have done will pay off, improving the lives of community members in southwestern India. Just a year after they

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