CORD (Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development) Difference
“The people of the Himalayas, especially women, have selflessly served the wandering sadhus. This will be our repayment of ṛṣiṛiṅ (debt) to them. I want to serve them.”
Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda
CORD was started in Himachal Pradesh in 1985, under the guidance of Pujya Gurudev, with the vision of creating sustainable, integrated development in rural communities.
CORD’s approach
- CORD’s programs make communities self-reliant, using the expertise of the people themselves to create change.
- The uniqueness of the model rests on making the marginalized communities’ equal partners, rather than just facilitating projects.
- These initiatives are developed and driven by the people, unique to each person/community
Impact of CORD on the communities
- Women to Women Mentorship Program where we meet each month and conduct workshops developed by the community women and mentor women, especially to begin their own businesses
- Working with the Bhutanese community (Dallas) or tutoring youth (Portland).
CMA for CORD USA and CORD Global Network
- Walk-a-Thons – to raise funds for CORD in India/Sri Lanka
- Sustainable programs – Tutoring by JCHYCKs (Junior Chinmaya Yuva Kendra), Junior Kids tutoring younger children
- Local Community Projects – CMA partnered with United Way Organization to pack food for people who are in need
