About Founder – Juliyes Vanathaian

Juliyes Vanathaian, the founder and director of Life Empowerment Trust, was born into a Dhobi family in Then Nerkunam, Tindivanam Taluk, Tamil Nadu. Her parents washed clothes for Dalit families, often receiving food as wages. As a child, Juliyes accompanied her mother at night to beg for food and helped wash clothes at the village pond.

In school, she faced severe discrimination and humiliation from both students and teachers. The trauma led to debilitating migraines, forcing her to discontinue studies in 8th grade. But Juliyes never gave up. She learned tailoring, which restored her self-esteem. Her blouse stitching was so exceptional that even dominant caste families sought her work.

She began teaching tailoring free of cost to young girls and conducted evening study classes for children of all castes. Her personal journey of resilience and compassion inspired her to launch a weekend study centre in 2009. Today, it serves students, youth, and families from 25 villages—offering education, counseling, and economic development.

Her message: "Every child deserves dignity, education, and opportunity. Together, we can build a more inclusive and compassionate world—where no one is left behind."