SAFP is committed to seeking justice and working with the poor of India regardless of caste, creed, gender or political affiliation.

Our Origins

The vision for Save A Family Plan was inspired by a growing awareness in the mid 1960s about the immense suffering in India and other nations caused by conditions of extreme poverty. Founded in 1965 by Monsignor Augustine Kandathil, Save A Family Plan is a Canadian-based, registered charity that promotes social justice and sustainable life-changing solutions. Together with supporters across the globe, our mission to partner with the poor for a just world is realized through our two main programs: the Family Development and the Community Development Program.

Our trained on-the-ground staff work in collaboration with families from any caste, creed, religion or political affiliation, to create personalized and sustainable socio-economical plans. In conjunction with local advocacy groups and community resources, our results-based development programs aim to transform lives through small business initiatives, life skills training, the provision of clean water, sanitation, safe housing, and more.

Our Founder

"The poor deserve the best."

- Father Gus

Save A Family Plan (SAFP) was born out of the inspiration of Pope Paul VI. During his visit to India in December 1964, he asked the world to join together and help improve the lives of those who are suffering and in need.

Monsignor Augustine Kandathil (“Father Gus”), an Indian priest working as a chemistry professor in Canada, heard this plea and worked together with his colleague, Dr. Leo Ferrari, to develop a plan that would connect families in North America with families in India. Their hope was to help families meet their basic human needs in a way that would bring charity to a personal level.

In the earliest years, Fr. James MacDonald (later Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton and Archbishop of St. John’s, Newfoundland) provided a location for SAFP at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick. In 1973, SAFP was given a new home at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario, within the Diocese of London. 50 years later, our office continues there as the international headquarters for the organization today.

Since our small beginnings in 1965 and continuing today, Save A Family Plan partners with the poor in India, serving thousands of people in need thanks to the generous support of donors from ‘developed’ countries, and putting the core values and mission of the original founders into action.

"The poor deserve the best."

- Father Gus

Partnering with

40 +

Nonprofits

2000 +

Field Level Action Teams

9,000

Families

Sangham is defined as a grassroots, community-based self-help group

SAFP EXPRESSES OUR MOST SINCERE THANKS TO THE WIDE NETWORK OF VOLUNTEERS IN CANADA AND INDIA WHO HAVE SUPPORTED US THROUGH THE YEARS

Canada Board of Directors

Voting Members

Ms. Lois Côté, President

Sr. Joan Atkinson, CSJ, Vice President

Mr. Jerome A. Collins

Mr. Patrick Mahon

Mr. Andrew Elnazir, Treasurer

Ms. Kenzie Kelterborn, Secretary

Dr. Bernardine Ketelaars

Mr. Dave Schiller

Mr. Tim Kulakowski (SPS representative)

Non-voting Members

Mrs. Marisa Thorburn – Executive Director