The Foundation

The Roberts Trust Foundation.

Registered on 16 August 2024 — Shalini's late father's birth anniversary — the foundation transforms her individual work into a permanent institution. Headquartered in Chennai, it runs programs across Tamil Nadu.

10 students

Multi-year educational sponsorships

Full coverage of university tuition, fees, hostel accommodation and learning materials — across arts, law and engineering streams, until degree completion.

10 businesses

Micro-entrepreneurship capital

Physical equipment, retail setups, raw inventory and safety gear for aspiring women, disabled and transgender entrepreneurs across Tamil Nadu.

Monthly

Grocery & direct relief

Door-to-door delivery of essential dry rations, household necessities and clinical goods to families without active income.

100+ lives

Maternal emotional support

Deep counselling, regular check-ins, emergency shelter coordination and dedicated personal mentorship for orphaned girls.

5 children

Adoptive motherhood

Complete legal, social, emotional and financial adoption of children who have lost parental care — 4 daughters and 1 son, by age 23.

Ongoing

Transit & medical grants

Direct coverage of local travel, medical transport fees and auto-rickshaw fares for disabled and elderly beneficiaries.

The model

Zero False Promises.

Every long-term commitment passes through a one-month field assessment. No story is taken at face value; no donor is asked to fund anything that hasn't been verified in person.

  1. 01

    Outreach

    DM, email or referral reaches Shalini directly.

  2. 02

    Field verification

    Personal home visit, family interviews, independent financial and background audit.

  3. 03

    Matching

    Verified need matched with committed micro-donors from the community.

  4. 04

    Sustained support

    Tuition, capital or groceries delivered — with ongoing emotional and educational tracking.

Stories

The people behind the numbers.

The Villupuram student

A 19-year-old met at a wedding. Severe emotional distress, no maternal figure. Shalini became one — and committed to three years of hostel fees so her education would not be interrupted.

Kamala Patti

An unhoused elderly woman on the streets of Besant Nagar with living sons nearby. She preferred Shalini's time and conversation to money. Presence over aid.

The 15-year cake

A beneficiary who lost her mother saved a piece of cake for fifteen years to give to her — and gave it to Shalini. Love is presence; love is showing up.

Vijayabharathi

Structurally stabilised through years of educational and emotional support — now a spokesperson for the foundation's long-term impact.