Today we’d like to introduce you to Bhakti Salunkhe Puranik.
Bhakti, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The seed was planted long before I was born. Mine is a story of three generations of women working together. My grandmother (Mamaji) had the vision to build a residential school for under-served youth, so she founded the Puranik Foundation in 1998 and built a school in Pune, India called the Vision International Learning Center. My mother, a life coach, mentor and Chief Financial Officer, now serves as the Executive Director at the foundation. I now serve as the Managing Director, overseeing operations programs and partnerships.
I grew up hiking hills and climbing trees at our school campus and officially started working at the foundation as a Design and Communications Director back in 2017. Utilizing my education in advertising, I began pitching our mission, working on developing community partnerships with schools and lead the Impact India study abroad program. A 10-day Global Service Leadership Camp offered twice a year at Vision International Learning Center (VILC) in Pune, India. Students work alongside each other participating in experiences that nurture a holistic approach to living and decision making. I noticed a transformation in confidence, awareness, creativity and determination as the students underwent programming featuring leadership, cultural immersion and mindfulness activities.
The commitment to reducing carbon footprint and preserving nature ignited a passion within me that burns to this day. Encompassing 27-acres, the school is fully sustained by using solar, bio gas and water retention and recycling systems to protect and preserve nature. Over 3.6 million has been invested in the development of alternative energy systems and sustainable living methods. Students get to experience this lifestyle during Impact India. It’s remarkable to see mindsets shift from over consumption to preservation.
Has it been a smooth road?
As a non-profit, we maintain a startup culture that is constantly developing. It has been a challenge to scale our growth and bring visibility to the foundation’s efforts. With COVID-19 disrupting the world economy and suspending in-person experiences, the Puranik Foundation could not host Impact India; However, 40 High School students from Houston Independent School District and Spring Branch ISD were scheduled to attend our Global Service Leadership programs. As an alternative to India’s travel, we developed ‘Global Connect,’ engaging local and national influencers to provide mentorship, guidance, and cultural training virtually during a three week online internship.
Beginning in 2021, we integrate digital experiences into our Global Service Leadership programs focusing on integrating sustainable living through innovating alternative energy technologies on campus to increase awareness around the importance of living in harmony with nature. To make this happen, we are actively seeking partnerships and sponsorships, and in-kind and financial contributions.
While online experiences offer flexibility and reach access to time zones, in-person experiences can never be replaced. The challenge for us moving forward is to maintain digital access and create inspiring, captivating, and transformational programming for young adults.
We’d love to hear more about the organization.
Puranik Foundation is a nonprofit organization that owns and operates a private residential school called Vision International Learning Center (VILC) in Pune, India, for under-resourced children. At no cost to the families it serves, K-12 students receive academic instruction, living quarters, meals, uniforms, and enrichment training in mindfulness, critical thinking, leadership, and the arts.
Nurturing holistic perspectives is the core of what we do. We believe that to be a Leader; one must consider Self, Community, and the Environment in every decision they make. Therefore our programs feature one or more of the following eight attributes we believe inform a Holistic Perspective: Education, Mindfulness, Culture, Service, Leadership, Collaboration, Sustainability & Creativity.
The Puranik Foundation recently collaborated with HISD and is a founding member of HISD Abroad. This $50,000 initiative will enable scholarships for Houston students to participate in the Global Service Leadership program in 2021. We are also very proud to have sponsored 24 teachers to travel to Pune, India, and work with our students on campus.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Houston is filled with a diversity of cultures that intertwine. Along with passionate, driven, and hard-working people, we have a fast-paced lifestyle combined with sweet southern hospitality making it especially attractive to live in. Houston also contains one of the highest percentages of non-profit organizations in the US. With that said, it is an excellent place to launch a new idea or initiative. This city thrives on providing incubators, educational conferences, and global experiences. It is a place of growth, creativity, and service. Houstonians commit to empowering as they climb.
Pricing:
- Global Service Leadership Program $5,000 ( 10-day travel to India)
- Impact Innovation $8,000 (5 week internship learning about alternative energy technologies and innovating products on campus)
Contact Info:
- Address: 3773 Richmond Ave, Ste 225, Houston TX 77046
- Website: www.puranikfoundation.org
- Phone: 8328061317
- Email: info@puranikfoundation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puranikfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puranikfoundation
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PuranikFndn
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiHa4Wb1VxvCNFVaGs8LR8g
Image Credit:
Puranik Foundation Images – Navin Devnani
Bhakti Professional Images – Morris Malakoff
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