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Prime Trust supports women and children in situations of poverty and injustice. Through programmes designed to empower, educate and involve the underrepresented, the NGO strives to create a world free from exploitation and discrimination, in which all citizens have equal opportunities to build fulfilling lives.

Prime Trust: Towards Social Transformation

Prime Trust Logo Prime Trust Logo
Prime Trust Banner Prime Trust Banner
Formation	2002
Founder	S. M. Arasu
Founded at	Puducherry, India
Type	Charitable Trust
Legal status	Registered Charitable Trust
Purpose	Social Transformation
Headquarters	Puducherry, India
Region served	Tamil Nadu, India
Methods	Empowerment, Education, Awareness
Fields	Women Empowerment, Child Development, Rural Health
Membership	Board of Trustees
Official language	English, Tamil
Founder Director	S. M. Arasu
Board of directors	S. M. Arasu, Caroline Maria Arasu, Jeanne Francoise, Frederick Maria Arasu
Key people	S. M. Arasu, Caroline Maria Arasu, Jeanne Francoise, Frederick Maria Arasu
Main organ	Board of Trustees
Parent organization	Prime Educational and Social Trust
Affiliations	Various local and international NGOs
Website	www.primetrust-org.in

VISION & MISSION

The vision of Prime Trust is to make marginalized communities sustainable through a process of empowerment. Prime Trust creates grass-root institutions and facilitates a dialogue between these and existing institutions. The organization is fighting to bring social transformation through empowering rural and urban poor and enabling them to become self-reliant. Prime Trust is also striving to initiate social change by increasing education, awareness and providing health support.

OUR INTERVENTIONS AND PROGRAMMES

INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMM

Prime Trust is committed to providing underprivileged children with the opportunity for quality education and personal growth. Through initiatives like remedial schools, Sishu Bhavan daycare, Janani Home, Child Sponsorships, Summer School.

JANANI HOME FOR ABANDONED GIRL CHILDREN

Janani Home for Girls provides a safe and structured environment for underprivileged girls, helping them focus on their education and personal growth. The home addresses the neglect often faced by girls in society and aims to offer them brighter opportunities through educational programs, financial support, high standard food, medical facilities and access to positive role models, supported by Prime Trust. Volunteers play a crucial role, helping the girls enhance their self-worth, improve English skills, and gain new abilities.

REMEDIAL SCHOOLS

Prime Trust operates remedial schools with a mission to provide free, quality after-school education to children from underprivileged families. These schools are designed to address the learning gaps often faced by children in resource-constrained environments, ensuring they receive the support they need to thrive academically and personally. A key focus of the program is spoken English training. By involving native English-speaking volunteers, the schools aim to enhance the children’s language skills while building their confidence in communication. This approach not only helps the students improve their proficiency in English but also empowers them to express themselves effectively in a globalized world. In addition to language training, the remedial schools provide personalized tutoring tailored to the specific needs of each child. This individualized attention allows educators to identify and address the unique challenges faced by the students, fostering their academic advancement and helping them reach their full potential. Currently, more than 150 children in Pondicherry are part of this transformative initiative. These students come from diverse backgrounds, often with limited access to educational resources. Prime Trust’s remedial schools serve as a beacon of hope, offering them opportunities for growth and a brighter future.

CHILD SPONSORSHIP

Prime Trust remains steadfast in its mission to improve the lives of children from underserved communities by fostering access to quality education and healthcare. With the understanding that education is a transformative tool for breaking the cycle of poverty, the organization has focused on raising funds from leading software companies and other compassionate benefactors. These contributions enable Prime Trust to provide sponsorship to children who face significant financial challenges in accessing education and essential healthcare services. Child sponsorship through Prime Trust is comprehensive, addressing critical needs such as school fees, uniforms, books, and supplies. By alleviating the financial burden on families, the program ensures that children can attend school and engage in their studies without distractions or stress. This support goes beyond material provisions; it fosters confidence, dignity, and the opportunity for personal growth. This work is made possible through strong partnerships with software companies and other generous donors. Their unwavering support allows Prime Trust to expand its reach and impact, ensuring that more children can benefit from these life-changing opportunities.

SISHUBHAVAN DAYCARE CENTER

Sishu Bhavan is Prime Trust’s dedicated daycare initiative designed to support children of parents who face financial constraints in accessing quality childcare. This program aims to provide a nurturing and secure environment where children can grow, learn, and enjoy their early years. Understanding the importance of early childhood development, Sishu Bhavan offers a space where children are cared for with love and attention, fostering their physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. It is a place where children are encouraged to explore, engage with peers, and develop foundational skills in a safe and stimulating setting. The success of Sishu Bhavan is driven by a team of passionate and highly trained professionals committed to providing the best care possible. The staff members are not only equipped with the necessary skills to support child development but are also dedicated to creating a warm, supportive atmosphere that promotes a sense of security and well-being. Children enrolled in the program receive age appropriate learning experiences, enriching activities, and the personal attention they need to thrive. Through this program, Prime Trust ensures that children are given a strong foundation for future learning, while offering parents the peace of mind that their children are in capable and caring hands.

SUMMER SCHOOL

Each year, Prime Trust hosts a month-long summer camp for children from its remedial schools and associated programs. During the camp, children are introduced to a variety of subjects, such as conversational English, yoga, Sanskrit, French, and other skills offered by our volunteers.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Prime Trust empowers women through vocational training, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and affordable daycare services. Prime Trust helps women access micro-finance loans to start small businesses, promoting financial independence and breaking the cycle of poverty. By offering essential skills and support, Prime Trust fosters entrepreneurship and creates opportunities for women to achieve self-sufficiency and a better future.

PRIME TRUST’S SELF-HELP GROUPS

Prime Trust has facilitated the formation of SHGs throughout Pondicherry and the neighboring districts of Villupurum and Cuddalore. These groups are located in both urban and rural areas that are out of reach for many other organizations. Most of the women are from the poorest Dalit communities—sometimes referred to as the ‘untouchables. Prime Trust acted as an intermediary between the banks and women, helping the women open savings accounts and encourage the bank to agree on a low interest loan. The intention of these micro-finance loans is to encourage entrepreneurial spirit within the groups, so that their members can collectively establish their own small businesses and work towards financial independence. When these businesses start to turn a profit and a group successfully pays off its first loan, the bank offers a larger sum so that the group may continue to grow.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE

Prime Trust has established various facilities to provide vocational training, empowering women with skills that promote financial independence and stability. Among these initiatives is the Tailoring and Handicraft Centre, founded in 2008. This Centre was equipped with sewing machines funded by Prime Trust, with additional support from clubs and volunteers. The centre focuses on training approximately 60 apprentices at a time in tailoring and related crafts. Women are taught to create clothing tailored to the Indian market, such as churidars, choli blouses, trousers, and kurtas. Additionally, the program includes training in the production of fabric accessories like bags, purses, and letter pouches, further diversifying the skills of the participants. Beyond these crafts, the Centre also extends its services to Janani Home by making and repairing school uniforms for the girls, showcasing a practical application of the skills learned. This initiative not only provides women with an avenue to earn a livelihood but also fosters a sense of purpose and confidence, contributing to their overall empowerment.

AKSHAYA: Our Federation of Self-Help Groups

In 2011, Prime Trust expanded its efforts by creating Akshaya, a Self-Help Group (SHG) Federation. Akshaya was established to provide accessible and transparent microcredit services tailored to the unique challenges faced by women in rural communities. The program offered short-term loans with a 10-month repayment period, designed to be manageable and supportive of entrepreneurial growth. Beyond providing loans, Prime Trust and Akshaya emphasized financial literacy and vocational training. Women were equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage their businesses, ensuring the efficient use of funds and successful repayment. The program also prioritized user-friendly application processes to make financial services accessible to those with limited formal education or prior financial experience. A distinctive feature of Akshaya was its leadership structure, which empowered women to take active roles in governance. The federation was overseen by a board comprising a Chairman and Directors selected from the participating SHGs, fostering accountability and encouraging women’s participation in decision-making. Prime Trust played a facilitative role, offering mentorship and guidance to strengthen the program’s operations. To ensure the loans were effectively utilized, Prime Trust employed trained field officers who worked closely with the supported communities. These officers provided hands-on assistance, mentoring women to optimize their business outcomes and address challenges.

JOIN US IN OUR MISSSION

For over two decades, Prime Trust has been at the forefront of empowering communities, thanks to the unwavering support of donors like you. Every rupee you contribute creates real, tangible impact on the ground changing lives, one step at a time. Here’s how your donation, big or small can directly help us achieve our mission.

Reference

https://www.primetrust-org.in/