Christian Agency for Rural Development (CARD)
The Christian Agency for Rural Development (CARD India) is a social service wing of the Mar Thoma Syrian church of Malabar, India, established in 1977, under the Travancore – Cochin Literacy Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act XXII of 1955. This organization mainly stands for the empowerment of the marginalized community such as landless labourers, traditional artisans, women, children, tribals and dalits through the intervention of health, education and agricultural programmes, so that they may liberated from the destructive forces and improve their living condition and lead a life with dignity.
The role of CARD is based on our faith that all people are created in the image of God with the right to live just, humane and dignified lives in sustainable communities. God has called all human beings to uphold and protect the human dignity and human right of every living person against all forms of discrimination. The earth and all it contains are God's gifts given out of love and care for all created beings. The practice and existence of hunger, poverty, injustice, the denial of human rights and the destruction of the environment are against God's promise, love and care. Development is therefore about participating in the action to transform people and society by caring, sharing and empowering themselves, so that they can improve their quality of life. Participation, empowerment and sustainability are called the developing process. CARD has the initiatives on contemporary issues like water, health, education and food security. Its services are open to the weaker sections of society irrespective of caste, creed, sex and faith.