EMMAUS work camp Asia at a Community forest
EMMAUS was founded in France in the aftermath of the First World War to assist landless, homeless and people living in poverty in the country. EMMAUS International is today a NGO with 425 partner organizations in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Kudumbam were introduced to EMMAUS through The Swallows, Sweden that were a partner organization during the 1990s. Kudumbam became a member of EMMAUS International in the year of 2000 and two persons from Kudumbam staff have so far been elected board members of the organization. On one occasion Oswald Quintal were a board member for eight years and Pangayavalli (Poppy) is currently one of international board members. EMMAUS International has throughout the years sponsored or funded several initiatives of Kudumbam which includes a Vidivelli childrens’ hostels for girls, boys, a dining hall at Kolunji Ecological Farm, new training center for women. Kudumbam is mainly involved in two of the goals of EMMAUS International which is: An Ethical and solidarity economy for access to fundamental rights, and social and environmental justice for a sustainable world. Hence, Kudumbam is currently working together with EMMAUS on enhancing organic farming, alternative energy, micro credits, health, education, support to vulnerable people and children, and the reduction of poverty. Kudumbam has been involved in strengthening and up-scaling their work in Asia and Africa. An example of our close collaboration was when we together organized a youth camp on sustainable agriculture solutions to youth on four occasions from Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia on Kudumbams Kolunji Ecological Farm in Tamil Nadu, India. 30-50 youth participated in both practical work and lectures to gain knowledge on the farming methods Kudumbam has developed. The membership of EMMAUS International has facilitated the strengthening of the organization, being able to attend various global conferences and forums, exchange knowledge, and providing us with a platform to share our knowledge on agriculture abroad. The strengthening of alliances with international partners has been another positive outcome of collaborating with EMMAUS International. In the coming years, Kudumbam together with other partners in EMMAUS, will focus on converting information to material and to further extend the spreading of knowledge to additional languages.Â
