Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu · A public charitable trust since 1986
We live for others
Dr. S. Devaraj
Founder Chairman and Managing Trustee
- Role Founder Chairman and Managing Trustee
- Field Social development, micro finance and non-profit initiatives
- Experience Over 40 years
- Studied Diploma in Social Development, Coady International Institute, Canada, 1985
- Fellowship UNDP fellowship, 1986
Biography
A pioneer of integrated development programmes
Dr. S. Devaraj, the Founder Chairman and Managing Trustee, has over 40 years of experience in the field of social development as well as micro finance and non-profit initiatives.
His enthusiasm to create a poverty-free and egalitarian society has led him to pioneer in the integrated development programmes. His fascination towards poverty reduction has brought ASA, which made him a proactive specialist in helping communities for holistic development.
He completed a diploma in Social Development with specialization in credit, savings and rural cooperatives from Coady International Institute (Canada) in 1985. In 1986, he was awarded a UNDP fellowship and travelled extensively across India, visiting and studying voluntary organizations.
He provides overall strategic direction and policy level decisions for ASA programs.
People-centric
A model built around women’s empowerment, poverty eradication and community development.
Integrated
Pioneering integrated development programmes rather than single-issue interventions.
Strategic
Provides overall strategic direction and policy level decisions for ASA programmes.
On the world stage
Rotary International Convention, Bangkok 2012
Dr. S. Devaraj spoke on the panel Peace and Prosperity through Microcredit at the 2012 Rotary International Convention, held in Bangkok from 6 to 9 May. He shared the platform with Professor Muhammad Yunus, Emily Gbahbih Peal of Liberia and Deborah Lindholm.
His address traced how the work in Tamil Nadu evolved from village organising in the 1980s into ASA Trust and its microfinance and education programmes.
6–9 May 2012
Bangkok, Thailand
Chapters
Milestones
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1985
Coady International Institute
Completed a diploma in Social Development with specialization in credit, savings and rural cooperatives, in Canada.
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1986
UNDP fellowship, and ASA
Awarded a UNDP fellowship and travelled extensively across India studying voluntary organizations. ASA was founded the same year.
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1996
Child labour eradication
Established with state government support under the Child Remediation Act. The first child labour school started in Trichy, later expanding to four schools.
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2000
Vidiyal school opens
Vidiyal Matriculation Higher Secondary School starts at Valandau Kaikatti with a mere twenty-six students.
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2010
Silver Jubilee
ASA celebrated its Silver Jubilee in April 2010.
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His enthusiasm to create a poverty-free and egalitarian society has led him to pioneer in the integrated development programmes.
Pioneering integrated development
The approach that shaped ASA from the start
