TRUST Self-Help Groups

Formed with the intent of guiding and encouraging our women’s groups to self-reliance, we at TRUST provide the necessary tools, training and support needed by our constituents in order to ensure that their self-reliance and development are sustainable in the long term through their own efforts.  Our goal is to help these women gain all the knowledge and confidence they need, and strengthen them to the point where they become fully capable of taking responsibility for not only their own holistic development, but also that of their respective communities.

In order to bring about this holistic development, we use a two-pronged approach that focuses first on bettering their socio-economic status, and second on bringing about political awareness and participation.

Bettering the socio-economic status of our constituency is addressed by raising awareness about a wide range of social issues ranging from gender inequality and female infanticide to health, sanitation and education for children and adults.  The economic needs are met by encouraging savings, and entrepreneurship through micro-credit.  TRUST also makes our groups aware of and facilitates access to resources available from the government and other sources such as schemes and incentives for small business owners, farmers, handloom weavers, etc., which may aid them in their economic development.

By simultaneously focusing on the social, economic and political, development in any of the aspects reinforces the others, ensuring continued and sustainable development.

Currently, TRUST’s self-help groups number 49 in the Salem district and 32 in the Namakkal district, with a total of 1,211 members.