About Us
Empowering Tribal Communities With Opportunity and Dignity
Our Story
Adivasi Social Service Educational Trust (ASSET) is a registered Non-Governmental Organization working with dedication towards the upliftment and empowerment of tribal and underprivileged communities in Tamil Nadu. Since its establishment on 21 November 2012, ASSET has focused on improving the social, economic, educational, health, and cultural wellbeing of marginalized groups, especially women, children, youth, and older persons.
Our work is rooted in the belief that every individual deserves equal opportunities, dignity, and access to basic rights. Through community participation, capacity building, and sustainable development programs, we strive to create long-lasting positive change in tribal communities.
Vision
To build a tribal community that is socially, economically, educationally, culturally, and health-wise empowered and self-sufficient.
Mission
To reach and support tribal communities — especially women, children, youth, and the elderly — by promoting education, health, gender awareness, rights empowerment, and active community participation for sustainable development.
Objectives
Formation of tribal women and men Self-Help Groups
Formation of Village Poverty Reduction Committees
Establishment of evening tuition centers for tribal children
To preserve and promote the cultural identity of Scheduled Tribes
Why Trust Us?
Transparent work. Proven results.
10+ years serving tribal communities.
Programs built with community participation.
Experienced and dedicated field team
Mr. A. Balaji
Mr. A. Balaji is the Founder Trustee of ASSET Trust and currently serves as a Member of the Tribal Advisory Council government of Tamil Nadu. He brings over 40 years of experience in the field of social work, with a strong commitment to the welfare and empowerment of tribal communities.
As a trustee of ASSET Trust, his roles and responsibilities include community mobilisation, programme organisation, team coordination, and active interaction with government officials, including IAS officers and senior administrators, to facilitate effective implementation of development programmes. His key areas of interest include creating awareness among tribal communities about government welfare schemes, environmental conservation through large-scale tree plantation (having planted more than 50,000 saplings), supporting tribal children’s education, and promoting tribal women’s empowerment.
In recognition of his contributions, he received an award from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department in 2013 for planting over 40,000 trees to support farmers, and the “Manpai Kappapom” Award from the Palavai Association in 2023 and best practitioner for tribal welfare in (2025)
Ms. Sornalatha
Ms. Sornalatha is the Director of ASSET Trust and holds a PG Diploma in Social Initiatives Management. She has wide experience in grassroots social work, with a strong focus on tribal and rural community development. Her work includes planning and implementing village-level projects, training and forming Self-Help Groups (SHGs), building leadership among SHG group leaders, community mobilisation, programme organisation, village monitoring, reporting, and documentation. She regularly coordinates with government officials and departments to support community development initiatives.
Ms. Sornalatha has conducted training programmes in herbal farming, sustainable agriculture, child education, and capacity-building programmes on environmentally friendly craft and product making for tribal women. Her areas of interest include empowerment of tribal women, advocacy through petition writing, promotion of tribal dance and singing, and strengthening livelihoods through SHGs.
In recognition of her dedicated service, she has received several awards, including the Sadguru Gnanananda Fellowship (Manava Seva Dharma Samavardhi Award, 2013), Dr. Ambedkar Award (2015), Press Welfare Association Award for Tribal People Welfare Work (2023), Pudumai Pen Award by Crescentia Trust (2023), Wonder Women Icon Award by Geo India Foundation (2023), and the Aaram Award for Best Social Worker (2024).
