As a socially focused group, ESAF, under the leadership of K. Paul Thomas, aims to create a sustainable and equitable society through various social development projects. With a firm focus on social targets like reducing poverty levels, reaching out to rural areas, improving the standard of living, and promoting education and healthcare, the organisation has carved a niche for itself in the space of socially oriented organisations.
LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT AND FARMER DEVELOPMENT
Being an organisation that is committed to supporting livelihoods, empowering farmers is one of ESAF’s many focus areas. The range of services includes skill training programmes, marketing support, and access to government schemes. Acknowledging the plight of the farmers, K. Paul Thomas, applied the insights he gathered from his agrarian background to introduce new farming technologies and provide financial access. The farmer collectives it formed proved to be a blessing for the farmers as it saved them from the clutches of usurious middlemen. By adhering to its values, ESAF promotes environmentally friendly farming methods and creates a platform to market their produce.
So far, the organisation has launched several programmes to train and upskill artisans from rural areas. One of its notable initiatives is the upskilling of bamboo artisans in Dumka. The MSME clubs and business incubation centres established by ESAF encourage entrepreneurship and support the artisans by helping them establish and grow their businesses. The initiative provides them with a platform to showcase their products and become self-reliant.
K. Paul Thomas is always passionate about the potential of rural youth. Under his leadership, ESAF has partnered with the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya (DDU-GKY) to leverage the potential of youth and convert them into an economically independent workforce. About 70% of the students who received training in banking have been placed in jobs after completion of the programme. The organisation has also played a part in reviving the Kuthampully handloom weavers by providing them with marketing support and assisting them in product diversification. Apart from this, ESAF has joined hands with the Tamil Nadu Startup Mission, to conduct skill training and marketing initiatives for entrepreneurs who focus on water hyacinth products.
The emphasis he gives to cooperatives has resulted in the formation of farmer collectives across the rural belt of the nation. The farmer collectives provide farmers with a platform to collaborate, share knowledge and resources, and gain access to markets. The organisation supports Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) through value-added product training, marketing support, and technical assistance.
ESAF’s commitment to farmers is also evident through the veterinary camps it organises to assist farmers in maintaining the health of their livestock and the buyer-seller meetings it conducts to provide buyers with an opportunity to purchase products directly from the sellers.
HEALTHCARE
The dire need for healthcare awareness among the public and the dearth of quality healthcare services in rural areas inspired him to launch Arogyamitra, a health initiative that began in Kerala in 2016–17. Under the initiative, Argoyamitras are trained in basic healthcare activities such as checking blood pressure. The programme was later replanted in North Indian states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, where the focus was on the promotion of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) practices and nutrition.
Most of the patients who come to ESAF’s hospital hail from the below poverty line category, and they would otherwise have limited options for medical care. The hospital's affordable and reasonable pricing, coupled with the dedicated and compassionate staff, have made it a beacon of hope for the people. But the impact of ESAF Hospital goes beyond medical care. It has transformed the lives of many families, who can now dream of a better future. Parents who once had to worry about their children's health can now see them grow up healthy and happy. The hospital has become a part of the community, with its doors always open to those in need. K. Paul Thomas's vision, determination, and compassion have made the ESAF Hospital not just a healthcare facility, but a symbol of hope, transforming the lives of many ailing patients.
The nursing school has played a pivotal role in women’s empowerment in the region. With a larger percentage of female representation compared to its contemporaries, the impact of the nursing school goes beyond the students who graduate from it. It has transformed the lives of many families, who can now dream of a better future for their children. In other words, the nursing school has become a symbol of hope, empowering young women and providing quality education to all.
K. Paul Thomas oversaw the establishment of ESAF Health Care Service, a healthcare consultancy firm, with an aim to improve the healthcare system by providing advisory support to healthcare institutions on the best ways to provide efficient and effective healthcare. It helps in optimising hospital revenue by bridging the gap between the business and clinical aspects of healthcare. It also focuses on advancing rural healthcare by helping hospitals set up satellite clinics in such areas.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
Flooding is one of the most significant natural disasters that have affected India over the years. ESAF has been at the forefront of providing relief to the victims of floods in the country. During the Kerala floods in 2018 and 2019, and the recurrent floods in the states of Assam, Tamil Nadu, etc. ESAF provided timely relief to the victims by distributing essential items such as food, clothing, and medical supplies.
ESAF's commitment to disaster management is not limited to floods alone. In 2004 and 2005, during the Tsunami period, ESAF bravely rose to the occasion and provided relief to those affected by the disaster..
The empathetic side of K. Paul Thomas was pretty evident during the Covid-19 pandemic, which affected millions of people across the world. ESAF played an active role in providing relief to those affected by the pandemic. As part of the pan-India disaster mitigation efforts, the organisation conducted several medical camps and supported government vaccination drives in the hinterlands of the nation. ESAF also partnered with Opportunity International to conduct the COVID Suraksha Vaccination Drive, which reached over 7 lakh people. Additionally, ESAF distributed digital gadgets to students during the pandemic so that they could attend online classes.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
ESAF has been providing scholastic support to thousands of underprivileged students across India. Apart from this, the organisation conducts periodic child rights and child protection campaigns through Balajyothi clubs and Child and Youth Resource Centres (CYRC). The establishment of Child Care Centres in Jharkhand is another landmark initiative of the organisation. It has been providing systematic and value-based education to thousands of tribal children.
The Balajyothi clubs established by ESAF in various parts of the country facilitate the holistic development of children. They provide tuition support to academically backward students and organise monthly meets on various themes such as essay writing, public speaking sessions, memory enhancement training, learning, leadership development, financial literacy, and adventure camps. In addition, the organisation offers scholarship programmes for the children of Sangam members and staff.
A perfectionist by nature, K. Paul Thomas pays special attention to the continuous upskilling of staff. ESAF invests in building the capacity of staff to ensure that they are well-equipped to provide high-quality support. In addition to the academic programmes, it also promotes environmental awareness among children through sessions on paper bag and paper pen making, tree plantation drives etc.
As a sports enthusiast, K. Paul Thomas makes sure that the children’s physical fitness is not side-lined in pursuit of academic excellence. The sports coaching programmes offered by ESAF have brought out the talents of many budding athletes. The organisation offers regular football coaching at Don Bosco School, Mannuthy, Ayakkad CA Higher Secondary School, and Valkulamb, and also organises football tournaments to showcase the skills of the students.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Under the Liveable Cities Programme, ESAF is working towards transforming eight Indian cities, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Malappuram, and others, into sustainable, inclusive, and liveable spaces. The organisation has conducted various programmes, such as the Family-Friendly Thrissur initiative, to promote inclusivity and community engagement.
K. Paul Thomas recognised that awareness creation campaigns are critical for driving change in urban communities and spearheaded the launch of several campaigns, including Cycle Day and Care Free Day, to promote sustainable transportation and healthy living. The Beach for All campaign aimed at creating accessible and inclusive beach spaces for individuals of all abilities, and the My Beautiful City campaign which encouraged citizens to take keep their cities clean and green, are two other successful campaigns of ESAF.
Urban farming is an essential part of ESAF’s sustainable urban development initiatives. It promotes healthy living and improves income generation for the local community. As part of the initiative, the organisation encourages community farming and helps market the produce in government spaces. Additionally, ESAF conducts gender-equality studies to ensure that its initiatives are inclusive and equitable.
TRAINING AND SEMINARS
ESAF is committed to holistic transformation and sustainable economic upliftment, social and psychological empowerment, and community-based education in tribal communities. Its partnership with the National Rural Livelihood Mission and the establishment of the Lahanti Institute of Multiple Skills in Jharkhand are clear reflections of the organisation’s efforts to upskill, train and empower the rural and tribal women and youth. In addition to this, ESAF has been organising impactful entrepreneurial training programmes, led by experts, to uplift individuals from poor and marginalised communities. The promotion of financial literacy is an integral component of each training.
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
ESAF offers leadership training for Sangam members to build their confidence and leadership skills. The training programmes have been incredibly successful, with many Sangam members going on to become leaders in their local Panchayats.
Early on itself, K. Paul Thomas realised that the financial component was integral to the empowerment of women. He launched financial literacy programmes that help women take control of their finances and make informed financial decisions. These programmes have been instrumental in empowering women to play a more prominent role in financial decision-making in their households. As a result, many women who were previously confined to the four walls of their kitchens have become active participants in their family's financial planning and management.
ESAF’s commitment to women's empowerment goes beyond leadership and financial literacy training. It conducts capacity-building programmes that instil in women the self-esteem and entrepreneurial qualities they need to succeed in business. The goal is to create a community of women entrepreneurs who can drive economic growth and development in their communities. Many women have successfully become entrepreneurs because of the skill training programmes offered by ESAF in various fields.
Also, the organisation recognises the importance of mental health for women. It offers counselling services to help women overcome the challenges they face in their personal and professional lives. ESAF’s mental health programmes have helped countless women overcome depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, enabling them to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.
Furthermore, K. Paul Thomas understands the vital role that women’s empowerment plays in agriculture and farming. ESAF offers training and support to women farmers, helping them to improve their agricultural practices and increase their productivity. It also provides access to credit and other financial resources to help women farmers grow their businesses and become financially independent.
The organisation has also been extending a helping hand to families through ESAF Mangalya Nidhi, a unique scheme which offers wedding assistance of ₹50,000 to deserving members' daughters. This scheme has helped many families who struggle to pay for their daughters' weddings.
K. Paul Thomas’ commitment to women's empowerment is unwavering. Through various programmes and initiatives under his leadership, ESAF is helping women across India to realise their full potential and become active participants in building strong, vibrant, and prosperous communities.
BUILDING CAPACITY AND FINANCIAL LITERACY
In addition, ESAF recognises the importance of financial literacy in enabling individuals to make informed financial decisions. Regular financial literacy programmes educate members on essential financial matters such as effective loan utilisation, creating long-term assets, and budget preparation. These programmes equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage their finances efficiently and make informed financial decisions.
K. Paul Thomas believes that financial literacy initiatives are crucial for promoting financial inclusion and reducing poverty. ESAF’s financial literacy programmes go beyond theoretical knowledge and focus on practical applications, helping its members apply their learning to their daily lives. A dedicated session on financial literacy is an integral part of all the entrepreneurial training programmes of ESAF, reinforcing the importance of financial literacy in entrepreneurship.
Furthermore, the financial literacy programmes are designed to be inclusive and accessible, ensuring that all members, regardless of their educational background, can benefit from them.
ESAF's capacity-building and financial literacy programmes are geared towards empowering individuals and communities to improve their lives while preserving the natural world. They equip members with essential financial skills and knowledge, enabling them to make informed financial decisions and promoting financial inclusion.