When a farm fails, a child stops going to school. We make sure that does not happen.
Snehwan is a home and a school near Pune, in rural Maharashtra, for the children of India’s drought-hit farming families — many of whom have lost a parent to farmer suicide. Snehwan USA Inc raises support for that work from the United States.
Ashok and Archana raise these children as their own — their daughter lives among them, and everyone eats from the same kitchen. The children run the campus themselves. The goal is not simply to educate them, but to give them the confidence and self-reliance to face life believing that whatever problem comes their way, they can find a way to solve it.
A home and a school for the children of India’s farming families
India’s first container library
Ten thousand books in a converted shipping container, open to every child in the village, free, with no library card and no closing time.
See the work
150 children learning to use a computer
A full lab, free to children from Snehwan and the surrounding villages, from typing through basic programming.
See the workHow Snehwan USA began
Ashok Deshmane toured the United States in August 2026. Five people who heard him speak formed this organisation the following month.
Snehwan historyWhy we exist
Snehwan USA Inc exists to relieve poverty and to advance the education, health and welfare of children and young people in India, particularly those affected by agrarian distress or the loss of a parent. We pursue that by raising funds in the United States and making grants to organisations in India that do the work — principally Snehwan, near Pune.
Snehwan began in 2015 when Ashok Deshmane, a software engineer from Beed district, went back to his village after a wave of farmer suicides and found children being pulled out of school to work the fields. He quit his job. Eighteen children moved into a friend’s rented house in Bhosari. Today Snehwan is a campus at Koyali, near Chakan, running eight projects.
What your money actually buys
These are Snehwan’s own figures for the work in India.
Ways to give from the United States
Snehwan USA Inc has applied to the IRS for recognition of exemption under section 501(c)(3). Our application is pending. If it is approved, contributions may be deductible retroactive to our incorporation date, 3 September 2026, to the extent allowed by law.
Cheque by post
Payable to Snehwan USA Inc and posted to our registered office in Suwanee, Georgia. We acknowledge every gift in writing.
Where to send itZelle
A direct bank transfer with no processing fee, so the whole of your gift reaches the work. Send to SNEHWAN USA INC, Zelle ID snehwanusa.
How to send by ZelleGifts from donor-advised funds, employer matching programmes and appreciated securities will be available once our exemption is recognised. Write to [email protected] if you would like to be told when.
The work your gift supports
Snehwan runs eight projects on and around one campus in Pune district. Snehwan USA Inc does not operate these projects; it makes grants to Snehwan, which does.
Residential Home & School
Swami Vivekanand Dnyanalaya — a home, meals and full schooling for children who have lost a parent or whose families cannot keep them in education.
Village for the Left Behind
Vanchit Gram — education and food for thirty girls of the Nandi Samaj community who previously collected scrap and begged in the suburbs of Pune.
Keeping Kids in School
Dnyanchatra — fees, rations and re-enrolment for children who had already dropped out, including Adivasi girls from Thakarwadi.
Dairy & Farm Enterprise
Kamdhenu Goushala — students learn to run dairy, composting and fertiliser production as businesses of their own.
Snehwan, Near Koyali Phata, Koyali Forest, Koyali tarfe Chakan, Ta. Khed, Dist. Pune 410501, Maharashtra, India.
Our board
Five volunteers. None of us is paid a salary, a fee or a commission, and none of us holds any position at Snehwan in India.
Sanjay Anandrao Pol
Retired vice president at Cisco Systems. Visited Snehwan in 2024 and hosted Ashok Deshmane in the Bay Area in August 2026.
Madhusudan G Soni
A scientist in nutrition and food additive safety, with research across India, Japan and the United States. Keeps the corporate records, the minutes and the governance documents.
Pramod Sathe
Chartered Accountant and Chief Financial Officer. Oversees the finances, the banking and the regulatory filings.
Satish Rangnath Thopte
Reviews the bank statements and reconciliations each quarter and reports to the board.
Deepak Amarchand Lunkad
Serves on the board and votes on every grant.