Seven years ago, Dhanush wasn’t imagining Dartmouth College. Dhanush’s father abandoned the family when he couldn’t support them financially, leaving them with major debt. His mother couldn’t work due to lifelong health problems, and his brother had to leave school in the tenth grade to take up a job. Despite these familial crises, Dhanush knew the best way to help them was through his academic performance.

When Srimathi entered Shanti Bhavan, she didn’t know she would someday attend the University of Rochester. Her situation was dire. She was born with a twin brother, and the burden of two children led her father to abandon her. Her grandparents took her in, but the cost became too much for them as well. They enrolled her at Shanti Bhavan where they knew she would be cared for. Srimathi thrived, graduating first in her class.

Prashanth dreamed of attending college in the United States, but as the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, the future became uncertain. His father was unemployed for more than a year. His mother could not work, or leave home, due to a severe heart condition. Prashanth remained determined, knowing the best way to help them was to succeed. He now joins the Middlebury College class of 2026.

Yeshwini knew before many of her classmates the challenges of studying abroad. In ninth grade, she was thrilled to be selected to study in Japan as part of the ISAK program. Her joy soon turned to fear; just as she was about to leave India, she learned that her mother’s cancer had returned. Yeshwini was constantly worried but decided to focus on her studies to make her mother proud. She completed high school in Japan and received her bachelor’s degree there as well. Now she will pursue her master’s degree at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

Our children succeed under the most difficult circumstances.

Shanti Bhavan kids deserve the best opportunities for successful lives, but full scholarships don’t cover all the costs of a college education.

Each year, Shanti Bhavan covers tens of thousands of dollars to pay for visa and travel expenses, clothing, dormitory furnishings, and other expenses to make our children’s college experiences possible—not just in the United States but in India as well.

Your support directly impacts every Shanti Bhavan student’s pursuit of a college education.

Whether you sponsor a college student for a year, make a monthly gift of $50 or $100 to assist with accommodations, or donate once to help with plane tickets or applications, every donation matters.

Whether you sponsor a college student for a year, make a monthly gift of $50 or $100 to assist with accommodations, or donate once to help with plane tickets or applications, every donation matters.

Support a college student today!

If you’d like to learn more about Dhanush, Srimathi, Prashanth, and Yeshwini’s journeys, please visit our College Sponsorship page.