Freedom Trust (Foundation for the Rehabilitation Education and Empowerment of the Disabled of Madras) was established in 1997 by Dr. Sunder, a renowned rehabilitation specialist. The trust was founded with the aim of addressing the mobility needs of physically challenged individuals in rural areas. The primary objective of Freedom Trust is to provide essential mobility aids such as wheelchairs, tricycles, artificial limbs, and orthoses to economically disadvantaged individuals with physical disabilities.

Since its inception, the Trust has remained committed to enhancing the quality of life of the disabled community by facilitating their mobility and access to opportunities. Over the past 28 years, Freedom Trust has made significant strides in fulfilling its mission. The trust has distributed mobility aids and appliances to approximately 40,000 plus physically challenged individuals across the country through over 1200 plus rural camps, reaching out to remote communities in various states including Assam, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Goa, Karnataka, and Kerala. Through its dedicated efforts, Freedom Trust has become a beacon of hope for thousands of individuals with physical disabilities, empowering them with mobility.

Our Projects – Rural Camps

GRAM VIKALANG PUNARJANMAM - GVP

Our project, Gram Vikalang Punarjanmam, is dedicated to supporting individuals affected by a range of physical challenges, including Polio, Muscular Dystrophy, Locomotor disability, and spinal cord injury. Through this initiative, we aim to provide customized appliances such as callipers, special furniture, surgical boots, and various other aids, like wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers. We strive to empower individuals to regain independence and lead a life with dignity. Gram Vikalang Punarjanmam embodies our commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that all members of society, regardless of their physical abilities, have access to mobility.

Walk India – making every rural amputee walk

A sizeable number of physically handicapped are amputees, who have lost their lower limbs due to accidents or diseases such as diabetes. Among the various types of physical disabilities, people with lower limb amputation benefit the most when fitted with a prosthesis [artificial limb]. An artificial limb is essential to make an amputee get back his life and to resume livelihood. It is our long-term vision to make people with lower limb amputation across India to get back on their feet with appropriate customized prostheses.

Freedom Trust's visionary project, "Walk India," is a “dream come true” project, conceptualized by Dr. Sunder, our founder, which aims to ensure that lower limb amputees across India receive appropriate prostheses, enabling them to walk again. Through specialized camps held in towns and villages nationwide, Freedom Trust facilitates limb fitting, empowering amputees to walk with newly fitted prostheses. "Walk India" represents our commitment to rehabilitation and empowerment, ensuring that rural amputees have the opportunity to reclaim their lives with confidence and dignity.

SISHU PUNARJANMAM

Shishu Punarjanmam, a project aimed at nurturing and empowering differently abled and exceptionally talented children in the realms of music and fine arts. Launched in 2003, this initiative has facilitated numerous students in establishing successful careers in their respective fields. Through Shishu Punarjanmam, selected students receive scholarships and specialized training tailored to their interests and abilities. Our Sishupunarjanmam scholars Akshaya & Manoj have done exceedingly well.

While Manoj is defending his Phd thesis this year for his Doctorate Degree in Music, Akshaya has blossomed into a fine young musician both as a Vocalist and Violinist. Lokesh, Indrakumar & Suvedha have become trainers in the field of arts, while Hidayathulla, works as a keyboard trainer in a school. Our music scholars were invited to perform during the famous Margazhi Music Festival in Chennai by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan & Bharat Kalachar. Samaya Aishwarya, is pursuing higher studies in music. We plan to recruit fresh scholars after a talent hunt during the current financial year 2024 – 25. The project's success is evident in the achievements of five differently abled scholars, who have been honoured with the prestigious Most Creative Individual Award in the field of arts by the President of India on five successive years.

"Reaching out to help is a natural human tendency. But very few actually do it. If you are one of those that believe in doing more than talking, I invite you here to spend your money, use our skills, or just dedicate your time to a worthy cause"

Dr. Sunder Subramaniam,
Founder, Freedom Trust