Nilam Trust

About Us

Nilam Trust

Our work is relevant because it aims to lessen the vulnerability of the Arunthathiyar community by providing assistance services for individuals such as sexually exploited women and manual scavengers.

Nilam Trust, a civil society organization led by an oppressed group, has been working with the women and children of the Arunthathiyar community since 2004. We work to empower the Arunthathiyar community to reduce vulnerability from manual scavenging practices in Tamil Nadu. For the past 17 years, we have been working with the Arunthathiyar community members through this program and we have seen a tremendous change in the lives of the Arunthathiyar community members and their children whom we sponsor.
We organize training for women, especially single women, who are most vulnerable to sexual exploitation and economic abuse by their employers and men in their communities.

Our Vision

Our goal is to contribute to societal transformation and foster social change by striving to establish an equitable, fraternal, open, and democratic community. Our focus is particularly on collaborating with the most marginalized, exploited, oppressed, and dehumanized Dalits and women, aiming to promote equality and human dignity

Our Mission

The vision is realized through the following mission:
i) To sensitize oppressed Dalit women, youth, children, and men about their rights and duties.
ii) Working for their education, health care, community building, and engagement in issue-based struggles.
iii) Working for the eradication of untouchability through cadre formation and capacity building.
iv) Creating critical awareness among oppressed groups, men, women, youth, and children about their health awareness, preventive health care, treatment, and sanitation. The vision is brought to fruition by pursuing the following mission:
i) Raising awareness among oppressed Dalit women, youth, children, and men regarding their rights and responsibilities.
ii) Devoting efforts to their education, healthcare, community development, and involvement in advocacy for relevant issues.
iii) Undertaking initiatives for the elimination of untouchability through the formation of dedicated groups and the enhancement of capacity.
iv) Cultivating a heightened understanding among oppressed groups, including men, women, youth, and children, concerning health awareness, preventive healthcare, treatment, and sanitation.