Sustainable & Just Community Development

Profugo, like many other organizations, aims to create social change, and better the lives of those who have less access to resources such as health services, education, and entrepreneurial skills. The work Profugo does is essential and has fostered great change in Wayanad. What is fundamental to the work they do however, is that it is underscored with the prioritization of choice, participation, and inclusion of the community they are serving. A crucial aspect of

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Smiling from the Mountains

Wayanad, by name is not a new place for me. I have visited the place several times as a tourist and as a student for field work. But four months of experience here has taught be that I previously knew little of the real beauty, terrain and moreover the lives of people in this heavenly district of Kerala. Even though I was so excited to begin Profugo’s field fellowship since I have a strong affinity

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Community Member Spotlight: Sunitha Chandran

Every day, Sunitha Chandran wakes up at 5:00 am to begin the day’s cooking and cleaning.  At 8:00 am, she heads out for a full day of farming activities.  By 5:30 pm, she returns home to finish her household duties, look after her two children, Abhinav and Anadhu, and spend time with her husband. Like many women of Wayanad, Sunitha’s daily routine reflects a staggering work ethic.  But somehow, on top of all of her

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Self Help Groups – Inspiring Social Change

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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The Story of the Bag (from the perspective of the bag)

Hello!  I take great pride in being one of Profugo’s breathtaking bags!  This creation story is very unique and extremely special.  Read on to learn about how I was created and all the amazing steps that went into making me. My journey first began as fabric, purchased from a small-scale fabric maker.  They have been dying fabrics, like me, in their families/villages for many generations! I’m a fabric from Andhra Pradesh (Kalamkari) known for creating

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