The Emmaus movement offers a new status to each of its members by allowing them to use their talents, energy and time to work others free from povert… - Joséphine Ouédraogo

The part of Abbé Pierre’s vision of Emmaus that particularly struck a chord with me was the idea that the movement ought to free the poor from the vice of moral and material poverty in whose grip society forces them to live.

At Emmaus, every individual returns meaning to his or her existence whilst living in the Emmaus community, through sharing with others, work, and placing his or her talents at the service of the community.

It must do everything in its power to avoid becoming trapped in classic development strategies which place emphasis on aid, finance, social and economic investments and the top-down approach – strategies championed by those who believe themselves to be experts in the fight against poverty.