In 2012, Mr. R. Dinesh Kumar — a trained social worker with an MSW degree — began serving roadside elders and mentally ill individuals in Trichy with no funding, no office, and no team. Just a belief that humans exist for one another.
What started as evening coaching for 80 underprivileged children in Sempattu slum grew into a full-fledged registered trust serving children, women, elders, and refugees across Tamil Nadu.
R. Dinesh Kumar
Founder & Managing Trustee
In 2014, he joined Action Aid India to work on bonded labour and HIV-affected children's education in Chennai. By 2015, he led as Project Manager at Lebara Foundation — implementing the Sri Lankan refugee children development project with the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Today Manitham Trust runs 5 active programmes, has served 23,000+ individuals, rescued 500 wandering elders, and reduced refugee children's dropout rate from 450 to just 80.
OUR VISION
"Save Humanity. Create an Immaculate Society."
A Tamil Nadu where no child goes without education, no elder is abandoned on a roadside, and no woman is left without dignity or livelihood — regardless of caste, community, or economic status.
OUR MISSION
Manitham Trust exists to serve the most invisible people in our society through five commitments
Provide quality education, nutrition, and health support for underprivileged and orphaned children
Care for abandoned elders and bedridden individuals with dignity and shelter
Empower widowed and marginalised women through livelihood skills and employment
Rehabilitate wandering mentally ill persons and reconnect them with family
Build socially responsible youth leaders who give back to their communities
THE STEPS
Our Journey
The Beginning — 2012
Started evening coaching for 80 underprivileged children in Sempattu slum. Began serving roadside elders and mentally ill individuals with food and shelter in Trichy.
Growing — 2014 to 2015
Partnered with Action Aid India on bonded labour children's education. Led Lebara Foundation's Sri Lankan refugee children project in collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Expanding — 2018 to 2020
Formally registered as Manitham Trust. Launched old age home, women empowerment programme, and Manitham Digital School. Led COVID-19 relief — 1,500+ patients served daily at government hospitals.
Today — 2024
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Best Youth Award. 8 national and state awards. 300+ children. 500 elders rescued. 23,000+ meals served. Still growing. Still serving every