Hello neighbors!
Sister Lucy Kurien, Founder and Director of Maher, is returning to Vermont!
Maher is a large NGO (non-government organization) based in Pune, India. Maher currently serves hundreds of communities in four Indian states.
Maher is interfaith, caste-free and staffed by locals.
Sister Lucy, a catholic nun from Kerala, India, founded Maher in 1997 by building a small safe home for women in a rural village outside the city Pune. Before Maher, women who were being abused, who were pregnant and unmarried, or who had been widowed, often had no options beyond prostitution or suicide.
Maher sheltered its first women before construction of the home was finished.
In the first several years Maher’s focus grew to include homes for children, a home for women with mental disabilities, a home for elderly women, and many grassroots community projects.
Maher’s work is ever-expanding. Maher now houses over 1,000 people. In 2013 Maher opened its first home for men—men who cannot care for themselves due to old age or due to physical or mental disability.
Maher’s community work also continues to grow, focusing on education, women’s rights and environmental sustainability. A large aspect of this work is accomplished through Maher's 'Self Help Groups' (SHGs), of which 7,000 people in over 100 communities are members. SHGs serve as microloan co-ops and education forums.
Sister Lucy remains an active director of Maher. She is a leading humanitarian activist who has a lot to teach about eradicating poverty using grassroots techniques.
Events offered to the public:
· The Peace and Justice Center, Lake St, Burlington – 3pm
Presentation and discussion, light refreshments served
· Burlington Yoga, College St, Burlington – 2pm
Meditation for peace and presentation
· Walkover Gallery, Main St, Bristol – 7pm
Presentation and discussion, chai and cookies served
More info:
facebook.com/BurlingtonMaherPage
email: MaherBTV@gmail.com
About the Burlington-Maher connection:
Mikaela Keepin of Burlington first went to Maher in 2007 to volunteer and learn and has been going back since. Several more people from Vermont have visited and volunteered with Maher and the NGO has a growing base of support here. Sr Lucy comes to the states periodically for conferences, for awareness building and for fundraising. This will be Lucy's fourth visit to Vermont and we are very excited to welcome her!
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