The Emmaus movement
The basic idea of the Emmaus movement is to give meaning to the lives of people without hope by creating opportunities for them to help themselves, so that they in turn can help others. People do not only need something to live on – but also something to live for. The guiding principle of the Emmaus movement has always been to help those who suffer the most and to work to eliminate the causes of poverty in the world.
Emmaus is a politically and religiously independent movement that was born in 1949 in post-war Paris. It was founded by Abbé Pierre, a priest, resistance fighter and member of parliament. The Emmaus movement first spread within France and then to other countries. Today, Emmaus is present in almost 40 countries, on four continents. Emmaus is built up by independent groups that are linked together into a larger whole united by common ideals. The local groups usually belong to national groups and as cover for everything there is Emmaus International with the decision-making body Emmaus World Meeting where major decisions are made. Emmaus International consists of four regional organizations: Emmaus Europe, Emmaus America, Emmaus Africa and Emmaus Asia.
Emmaus-Westervik belongs to Emmaus Finland as well as Emmaus Europe and Emmaus-International.
Emmaus Westervik – sustainability and solidarity since 1973
In 1973, Birgit and Rurik Rancken started an Emmaus community in an old elementary school in Västervik, seven kilometers outside Ekenäs. The community lived together, collected rags and ran what was then Emmaus’ flea market. The profits even then went to those in need in other countries.
Emmaus Westervik has had a very close collaboration with the Svalorna Association for Developing Countries, another Emmaus group, since its inception. The collaboration continues today through joint projects. During the 1980s and 1990s, Emmaus Westervik also served as Mother Teresa’s first link in Finland and administered the popular knitting of patches into blankets for the needy in India.
The community ceased to exist in 1990, but the flea market activities and solidarity work have continued.
Our activities today
In 1996, Emmaus Westervik moved to the center of Ekenäs and in 2002 to its current premises at Haugesundsvägen 18, where Emmaus’ flea market and shop are located. Used clothes, books, furniture, household items and all kinds of gadgets are sold here. Today, Emmaus has a loyal clientele and is known to most people in Western Uusimaa. Through the flea market operations, we finance our solidarity work.
We collaborate with several local associations, schools and other actors. We also collaborate with the City of Raseborg, Rosk’n Roll Oy Ab and the Western Uusimaa Welfare Area. Among other things, Emmaus offers light rehabilitative work activities in sorting and receiving goods and at the flea market (read more under Meaningful employment). Previously, the association also ran a popular workshop with rehabilitative work activities – but due to structural changes in the welfare area, the workshop was closed in December 2024.
Since 2025, Emmaus has also operated an Outlet at Pehr Sommars Gata 14 in Ekenäs. The new premises also include goods reception and sorting.
Emmaus Westervik belongs to the Vapaa liikkuvuus network and its support organization Oikeudet ilman rajoja ry. We are also a member of Finnish Development Associations rf (Fingo), Finland’s Peace Association rf and RENET Uudelleengyöytverkosto.
Are you interested in joining Emmaus’ activities? Read more here or contact operations manager Maarit Kinnunen. Welcome!
