The journey of Ms. Smitha tells us how the determination of a woman with the support of her family can make a change in her life. Ms. Smitha, age 40, lives in the village of Kulathada with her husband Santhosh and two children. Her…
Ms. Manjusha, a 36-year-old woman from Valad, is part of the Profugo family. As a girl she grew up with many dreams and aspirations. In secondary school she opted to major in Literature. However, two years into her studies the tables turned altogether. She…
An old proverb states, “Give a woman a seed and she will grow a forest, give a woman an opportunity and she will build a future.” In Wayanad, Profugo is doing both of these things. The Entrepreneurship Training Program is giving women the tools,…
“The mantra for the social worker is be passionate and be with the community,” says Lukka Thurayil, Profugo’s Field Director in Wayanad, India. We had the opportunity to interview him to find out what keeps him motivated and inspired regarding community development. Hopefully it…
Ms. Sunitha is a member of the Kurichyar Tribal Community in Wayanad. She lives in Edathana Tribal settlement. Ms. Sunitha is a single mother taking care of two children studying in 10th and 12th standards. Ms. Sunitha got married at an early age and…
As we gear up for the holiday season here in the US, it is just winding down in Kerala, where the Profugo Center of Development is located. The biggest holiday of the year falls right after the rainy season, somewhere at the end of…
After coming in from the snow on a gloomy winter day, there is nothing better than getting cozy under a warm blanket with a hot beverage, the steam warming your face and the mug, your hands. There are a variety of hot beverages to…
We live in a world that is continuously getting more and more connected, we are no longer confined to our own local community; our communities now transcend geographical boundaries. There is a global economy and culture, a global neighborhood. Events in one part of…
Wayanad is a district in the north-east state of Kerala. It’s a largely rural area, surrounded by national forests and wildlife refuges. Though the region has gained traction as an ecotourism destination in recent years, the communities there remain largely undeveloped. Agriculture is…
Two years ago, I stumbled out of the Bangalore airport in the middle of the night. Gilgy, my colleague and someone I now consider my brother, met me and we drove the ten hours back to Prasanthagiri village. Upon arrival, we scaled the steep…
