“Center for Advancement and Rural Empowerment” Established Dear members and supporters of our association, we are now entering the next phase of our service to the poorest of the poor – this time with a special focus on the rural population. As I have discovered in my academic work, numerous aid programs and development projects exist at the state and federal levels in India. Unfortunately, these programs often fail to reach the people in the villages who need them. To address this issue, a dedicated “Center for Advancement and Rural Empowerment (AL-CARE)” has been established at a Jesuit university in India. Two research associates will be assigned there to assess the needs, resources, and available labor in the villages. Based on this assessment, the university will identify suitable government programs and support measures tailored to the specific village structure. The terms of cooperation between the university and the supporting association were formally recorded in a Memorandum of Understanding and signed on June 4, 2025. The next step will be to empower villagers to apply for and utilize these programs. Following successful approval by the authorities, the university team will oversee the implementation of the projects – from planning to successful execution – ensuring that people truly benefit. This is our vision: We cover the personnel costs of these two entities, while the university provides infrastructure and management. This creates a genuine win-win situation: The rural population gains sustainable economic and social stability, the university combines academic work with concrete social engagement through its Faculty of Rural Development Sciences (RDS), and we, as the Arul Trust, enable real transformation in rural areas through our support. It is a fantastic project with great potential, and we hope to see significant results within five years. Thank you so much for making this project possible through your membership fees and donations! We will be regularly updated on the progress, and I will personally monitor its development. Sincerely, Dr. Arul Lourdu