Self Help Groups – Inspiring Social Change

By on May 6, 2020   /   Center of Development, Education, Empowering Women, Global Neighborhood, Life in India, Reflections, Social Enterprise, Tailoring Training Program, The Grand Masala   /   Leave a comment

The Kerala region is renowned for its progressive and forward-thinking societal standards. One of the biggest initiatives to promote gender equality in India is the creation of self help groups (SHGs). SHGs have become an important tool in promoting women’s empowerment. Profugo has taken advantage of the opportunity and has been working on the possibility of creating SHGs within our community. The tailoring program and the Profugo Market are female-focused, which provides the chance to

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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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Joys and Growth: Reflections from the First Five Months in the Field

By on February 19, 2020   /   Center of Development, Children's Club, Education, Empowering Women, Global Neighborhood, Health & Wellness, Life in India, Malayalam, Reflections, The Grand Masala   /   Leave a comment

On a Saturday afternoon in January, I found myself on the balcony of the Prasanthi Cottage, my current home.  I took in my surroundings – the lush hills, the distant moos of cows, the airy dance of floating clouds.  I sat, alone, with a wide smile on my face. This scene may seem like a cliched description of someone who claims to be “at peace,” or maybe that of someone who is a bit eccentric. 

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Transforming Communities Through Women’s Education

By on October 20, 2019   /   Center of Development, Education, Empowering Women, English Language School, Global Neighborhood, Life in India, Reflections, Social Enterprise, The Grand Masala   /   Leave a comment

If everyone woman had the opportunity to obtain an education, the world would be a very different place. Educated women have more opportunity, and more  opportunity gives women more power.  Around the world, millions of women still do not have access to education. Out of the world’s illiterate population of 796 million, women make up two thirds. The problem lies mostly with developing countries. Social norms and cultural beliefs hold women back from moving forward

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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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