Conversation with Director Lukka

Mr. Lukka Thurayil is Profugo’s new director at the Center of Development in Wayanad, India. Below is an in-depth interview to get up close with Lukka, his personal mission and background, how and why he is involved in sustainable community development. Profugo is excited to welcome him and we look forward to renewed efforts in working with community members, local partners, and global neighbors for a better quality of life! Can you give us a

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Taking Care of a Woman’s Mind

Mental health is already a taboo topic of discussion, even in more developed countries where there have been increased resources and conversations about it. But what about countries that barely have access to basic natural resources, like water? On top of worrying about when their next meal might come, or if they will make enough money for the week, they have to manage what is going on internally with no help. There are limited resources

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Q & A with Field Fellow Julianna

Julianna Joss is one of Profugo’s current field fellows in Wayanad, India. Julianna has been in the field since September 2019 and will be staying for another year. She’s passionate about sustainable development and grassroots community building. Prior to journeying to Wayanad, Julianna told our team she wanted to go to Wayanad because “meaningfully contributing” in regards to sustainability and social justice in “a place like Wayanad would be a dream come true.” She hoped

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The Impact of Arts

Education isn’t just about reading, writing, and learning arithmetic. It’s about developing yourself into a full person – with deepened appreciation, more perspective, and a stronger understanding of the world around you. Profugo’s Fine Arts Skills Training (Profast) in Wayanad, India does just that… and probably more. The Profast program provides middle-school aged students with a chance to practice traditional dance, learn to sing, or play percussion instruments. It’s a fun and interactive experience that

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Becoming a Beam of Light

Statistics show that Indian girls in regards to self-esteem, education, and independence, due to gender roles and sexism, are in a worse place than their male peers. For example, Indian adolescent girls’ self-esteem (Rao et al). The literacy rate for females in India is 65% while the male literacy rate is 82% (Rajput). According to Girls Not Brides, a collection of 1400 organizations committed to ending child marriage, “47% of girls [get married] before 18”

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