Fifty years of partnership, helping rural communities in
south India build better lives

Village Service Trust is a volunteer-run UK charity supporting partners in Theni district, south India,
who work with women and marginalised communities in their pursuit of lives free of poverty, violence and discrimination, helping them build education, health, livelihoods and strong community groups
that they now lead themselves.

About us

The people at the heart of our work

We work with some of the most marginalised communities in Tamil Nadu, who are now building brighter futures together with our partners.

Women in rural India still earn less than men and have fewer chances to study, own property or take part in decisions. With our partners, thousands of women have come together in self-help groups to save, borrow wisely, support one another and become leaders in their villages.

WOMEN: Leading change in their villages

For generations, Arunthathiyar families had few chances for education or secure work. Today their women are among the most active in our partners’ self-help groups. In 2025–26, 222 Arunthathiyar women received more than half of all the loans arranged through their federation of self-help groups. Trained Arunthathiyar women leaders worked with local officials to bring new roads, drainage and bus services to their villages.

ARUNTHATHIYARS: Learning,
leading and growing together

Tribal families in the Western Ghats have seen their traditional way of life change greatly. Our partners work with Paliyar and Muthuvan families on housing, children’s education and forest-based livelihoods such as honey, cardamom, pepper and coffee, helping them to use government schemes and build a secure future.

INDIGENOUS: Rooted in the hills, reaching for the future

Our partners' work

We support long-term partners who work with community organisations, such as women's self-help groups and voluntary groups that address domestic violence.

Copy of Vandiyur Self Help Group, VWF group-grading (1).jpg

Self-Help Groups

Saving together,

growing together

Domestic Violence

Escaping

gender abuse

Children's Clubs

Young voices,

bright futures

Indigenous Groups

Forest families,

building better lives

For more than 30 years VST has promoted women’s self-help groups that leverage affordable loans to fund self-employment or family needs. The groups are part of a women’s movement promoting women’s empowerment, education and solidarity.