OUR PHILOSOPHY

There are 2 Swawalambi NGO’s. They both have the same philosophy and objectives, but their roles and responsibilities are different.

The aim of Swawalambi Spain is the sensitization of the western world towards the plight of many Indian people, and fundraising for the project and the NGO in India.

 Swawalambi in India has an additional aim of direct intervention with the beneficiaries.

 The philosophy of both NGOS is based on respect to the individual’s traditions, culture and decisions. We want to upgrade the living conditions of the neediest people, but without forgetting that they are the agents of their own change.

 The intervention of the NGO in India will be based on co-operation between the professionals and the beneficiaries, the beneficiary allways being the protagonist of his/her story. We will accompany them through their process of change, but at no time will we try to influence the direction that the beneficiary want to take.

ORIGIN OF SWAWALAMBI

In August 2014 the Spanish actress and actor Vicenta Ndongo and Ivan Hermes travelled to India as part of their trip around the world. In Varanasi they met Cristina Iglesias, a Spanish Social Worker who at that time was working at an NGO in this city.

 

From right to left: Vicenta, Cristina, Ivan and Ananda (Cristina´s daughter)

 

During their stay in Varanasi Vicenta and Ivan met Amarjit, a 16 years old boy who, besides studying, was working in the evenings to help his family, because his father was sick with a stomach problem and couldn’t work outside the house. During the days they spent in Varanasi, Vicenta and Ivan established a relationship with Amarjit and they proposed that he open a little grocery store in his house that would allow him and his family to have some income. His father would work at the shop and Amarjit would then be able to study and make his dream of receiving dancing classes come true.

Vicenta and Ivan spoke then with Cristina, who met Amarjit. After a social interview with him and his family, Cristina decided to be the intermediary between the donors (Vicenta, Ivan and some of their friends) and the beneficiary, Amarjit.

After 4 months Amarjit’s shop became a reality. He is now studying and taking “cramping” classes, while his parents are managing the shop.

 

This story was the inspiration for the creation of the NGO “Swawalambi”, whose objective is to work for the self-sustainability of people and/or families in India, and the creation of the Amarjit Project.

 

 

Amarjit at his shop