Hyderabad Teacher Fosters Engineers From Watchmen’s Families

Why this is here: The PSS Trust has helped nearly 900 students earn diploma degrees since 2003, offering a pathway to higher education and employment for children from underserved families.

In Miyapur, Hyderabad, Pothukuchi Srinivas founded the Pothukuchi Somasundara Social Welfare and Charitable Trust to support the children of security guards, drivers, and domestic workers. Srinivas began tutoring students in the mid-1990s, noticing many lacked basic resources for homework and study. He left his corporate job in 2003 to focus on providing free education, books, transport, and mentoring.

The trust started in Srinivas’s home and expanded to include a repurposed overhead water tank as a classroom. Since its founding, the PSS Trust has aided over 1,500 students through school, diploma, and engineering programs. Many graduates now return to the trust as teachers, creating a cycle of support.

Currently, the trust mentors about 100 students, covering all educational expenses until they secure employment. While the trust has expanded beyond its original location, challenges remain in reaching all children from marginalized communities who lack access to quality education and resources. The work of providing opportunities continues with each new student.