At the Amma Center in Pontgouin, France, members are developing an ecovillage on a neighboring property. Their goal is to live nearby to support the center and its humanitarian activities, alongside a vision to create a community that embodies an ecological, supportive and respectful way of life for all.
In rural India, there has been widespread hesitancy to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and the area accounts for 65% of the country’s population. Doctors with Amrita Hospital are reaching out to our teams in villages to help share information about the safety of the vaccine, especially in remote tribal areas.
As the second wave of the pandemic begins to drop, our youth wing is finding ways to get food, basic supplies and support to people in urgent need. This includes a range of actions, from caring for villagers and slum dwellers with no income to counselling people in post COVID-19 recovery.
So far, men and boys have been largely excluded from the discourse on promoting gender equality. UNESCO New Delhi and our UNESCO Chair on Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality have collaborated to contribute to a global paradigm shift.
The Amriteswari Foundation of Malaysia has started a food bank to reach people in the town of Puchong and its surrounding areas. Over the last year, many are not able to afford essentials like rice and milk powder, and the country’s national lockdown that started on June 3rd has made things even more challenging.
Workshops have begun with the Central Reserve Police Force to bring them resilience and help them become more open towards gender equality. In collaboration with the Center for Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality, the initiatives are planned for the next two years and will reach about 25,000 officers.
In India, most of the country lives in low-middle class backgrounds, so healthy menstrual hygiene practices rely upon cost and environmental protection. Amrita University’s study on the new concept of reusable banana fibre pads has found a sustainable, green and affordable option.
AYUDH, our youth wing, is finding every possible way to assist people dealing with India’s COVID-19 crisis. Hundreds of volunteers are running medical helplines, locating hospital beds, and organizing supplies and equipment, especially for oxygen.
Swami Nijamritananda Puri is directing efforts by AYUDH, our youth wing, and Amrita Hospitals to bring relief to people suffering in the pandemic. He shares what it is like to deal with this calamity, alongside how it can bring out the best in humanity.
Amma’s volunteers in Barcelona reached out to families in need by providing basic assistance during the pandemic. A total of $240,000 US was given to 4,800 families for the year 2020. Youth who also receive support from Amma Spain send messages of thanks to Amma.