ASSEFA was formed in 1969 and began small community self-help groups in Tamil Nadu state of India. The aim is the creation of self-reliant rural communities.
Inter Pares assisted the organization in its early development but stopped funding when it grew to be a large organization with programs in many states. The relationship was renewed again in 2013 when Inter Pares saw opportunities for other counterparts to learn and collaborate with ASSEFA.
The current program is intended for poor women who are trained and provided with cows for milk production which is sold to the ASSEFA dairy. This activity serves as the focal point for community organization and education leading to women’s empowerment and leadership.
