Sometimes, a difficult experience can change the way a person looks at life. For Prema, founder trustee of Chennai-based Nesam-Opearl Charitable Trust, a serious accident in 1999 became a turning point. The experience made her reflect on how she could contribute to society and support people who needed help. Her journey from personal hardship to social service has also been highlighted by Femina, which profiled her work supporting underprivileged children and single women.According to the trust’s official website, Prema suffered a hip fracture in the accident and decided that she wanted to give something back to society. She founded Nesam in 2000, and the organisation was formally registered in 2001. Since then, its work has focused on helping people from disadvantaged backgrounds, with particular attention to single and destitute women, children and families who struggle to access essential support.
From one woman’s resolve to a community initiative
Nesam was established with the aim of enriching lives and creating happier moments for people facing difficult circumstances. Its official website describes its work as spanning educational services, healthcare, community services and support for single and destitute women. Rather than limiting its efforts to one area of need, the organisation has developed initiatives that address several everyday challenges faced by vulnerable communities.One of its key areas of work is women’s empowerment. Through its Leading Light initiative, Nesam supports single women who may face social and financial difficulties. Its programmes include assistance with education, professional training and help to establish small businesses. The aim is to give women opportunities to build skills, work towards financial independence and create a more secure future for themselves.The organisation also runs community centres that offer practical training in areas such as tailoring, embroidery, makeup, computer skills and bag making. According to its official website, these centres serve single women and women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Such training can help participants develop useful skills and explore ways to earn an income.
Supporting children through education and opportunity
Education is another important part of Nesam’s work. The trust provides financial assistance to children from low-income families, including students who perform well academically but cannot afford the costs of continuing their education. Its support can include school supplies, bags and help with educational expenses, with the organisation acting as an educational parent for deserving children. Nesam also organises free study centres for school-going children who need additional academic support. These centres provide opportunities for students to learn in a friendly environment and receive guidance from people with relevant expertise.Beyond classroom learning, the trust arranges activities that allow children from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience recreation and creative learning. Its annual summer camps introduce children to arts and crafts, while its Nesam Day and Christmas and New Year celebrations bring children from different homes together for games, entertainment and festivities.In May 2025, the organisation held a summer camp in Saligramam, Chennai, for 60 children from less privileged backgrounds, with around 25 volunteers participating. The children took part in arts and crafts activities and received food, snacks, certificates and gifts. The event reflects how the trust combines learning with opportunities for children to enjoy experiences that may otherwise be difficult for their families to afford.
Healthcare support that reaches beyond treatment
Nesam’s work also extends to people who need medical assistance. According to its official website, the trust contributes financially towards the treatment of people who cannot afford healthcare and provides wheelchairs to individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It also runs a blood donor club and organises blood donation camps, encouraging volunteers to contribute to a resource that can become critical during medical emergencies.The organisation has also responded to needs that go beyond hospital treatment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it supported vulnerable groups that included migrant workers, daily-wage earners, families of visually challenged people, tribal communities, single women and residents of care homes. Its website records assistance reaching more than 900 families and 61 homes during the period described in its COVID-19 updates.Another initiative, known as the East West North South (EWNS) Feast, brings together women associated with Nesam to prepare food for abandoned older people living on the streets. The project addresses immediate hunger while also creating an opportunity for women to participate in community service.
Building a culture of care, one initiative at a time
In March 2025, Nesam celebrated its 25th anniversary with a gathering in Chennai, marking a milestone in its work with supporters and volunteers. The trust’s continued activities show how community-based organisations can respond to needs that range from education and livelihood training to healthcare and food support. Prema’s journey, as described by Nesam, began with a personal setback that prompted her to think about the needs of others. The organisation that followed has taken that idea into different parts of community life, supporting women seeking independence, children needing educational opportunities and families facing financial or medical difficulties.Its work also highlights the importance of collective effort. Volunteers, donors and community members help sustain initiatives that depend on shared resources and participation. For Nesam, the larger purpose is to make support accessible to people who might otherwise struggle to find it, while helping them build the skills, confidence and stability needed to move forward.
