Inspired by the ideals and philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and other great spiritual masters of India and the world, People’s Trust was founded in 1982 in Bangalore, India. They work for the welfare and development of rural poor in India with particular emphasis on children and women. It supports rural people who are in need of food, education, healthcare, shelter, clothing, emotional and moral support. The program supports over 4,000 children, 8,000 women and covers about 41,000 villagers.
People’s Trust covers seven major areas of rural assistance: health, sanitation, nutrition, early childhood programs as well primary and secondary schooling, vocational training and poverty alleviation.
All people are treated equally, without regard to race, caste, colour, religion or culture. Living is simple and meals are vegetarian. People’s Trust does not try to Westernize the children, but rather, attempts to raise them according to the highest ideals of their own cultures. There is respect to the heritage of each child, whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, secular or other.
Creating self-sufficiency for destitute children from birth to six years of age are referred by the local social welfare agencies. People’s Trust provides full care through high school, and then provides vocational training so that each child can enter the local society as a self-sufficient adult. Adults are provided training in self-government as well as vocational training to supplement their meagre labor and farming income.
Another aspect of People’s Trust’s Gandhian Philosophy is the commitment to improving the condition of women through direct employment, education, medical aid, and training opportunities.
People’s Trust has been recognized by United Nations, and its founder, Dharmadarshi N.C.Nanaiah has received awards from Rotary International and several Indian Government agencies.