On 27 February, 2008, Mr Peter Martin (Chairman Emeritus) and Mr Dirk Heidenreich of Semikron International, Germany, inaugurated the Mali Shelter in Bangalore. This was built by the Mali Foundation and funded by Semikron International, Nurnberg, Germany. The Shelter is situated inside the Nav Jeevanalaya Trust complex, on old Airport Road, Varthur, Bangalore. The President of the Nav Jeevanalaya trust, (late) Dr P J Bagilthaya, earmarked specified space for setting up the Mali Shelter. It was set up to help underprivileged girls and economically backward women sustain themselves by providing them with training in different skills. The (late) Mr Murali Rao, former MD of Semikron India, was in charge of setting up this Shelter. The trustees of Mali Foundation are Ms Rekha Rao, Mr K P Kamath (CEO, Semikron International India) and Dr Aamod Rao. Ms Rekha Rao is the main trustee looking after the activities at Mali.

 

The Mali Shelter is a home for 50 Girls, with a 74 sq.m. common and recreation room, and a large, fully-fitted modern kitchen. The 93 sq.m. large dormitory is fitted with lockers for every resident. The Shelter is an ecologically-friendly construction, with solar heating and a rainwater harvesting installation.

 

The Foundation, in collaboration with the VIDYA Organisation, runs a fully functional computer lab with 20 machines donated by Synergy, where women get a chance to learn basic computer skills. Vidya also conducts spoken English classes and other classes in life skills. The Rotary Club (Cantonment) supports a well equipped Tailoring and Embroidery course recognised by the Government of India.

 

A first-floor extension was built in 2012, to extend the Shelter's activities into additional educational and social fields, for the betterment of economically backward women and children.