THE CONTEXT :
It is indeed terrible when you have to grow up without the care and love of your parents and family. This campaign is about giving these children and women hope, support, and a chance to rebuild their lives. Located in Vadhu Budruk (30 km from Pune city) is a home called Maher Ashram. They take care of these children and women, providing them with a safe and secure environment to grow and build their lives.
There are currently 186 residents (156 children and 30 women) who live here (as of July 2025). These children and women are vulnerable and are prone to anxiety and trauma. They are exploited and face sexual abuse, harassment, child trafficking, and other illegal activities. They need our support and love to grow and thrive. They have dreams and ambitions, just like us. Your support of this campaign will help them realize their dreams and give them a secure future.
Azaad is one of the many children whose life was transformed at Maher Ashram. Read on to learn more about the impact.
The current facility of Maher Ashram is at full capacity. There is a need to construct a new facility to support and care for more children and women. This will be next to the current facility at Vadhu Budruk, Pune, and will house 230 children/ women. The estimated cost of construction is INR 3.81 CR.
The existing facility spans 13,000 square feet and 2 floors. It comprises an admin block with a kitchen, a dining area, staff quarters, classrooms, and a production building. It houses a small playground for the children, followed by 7 houses where each house can accommodate 20-25 children.
THE SOLUTION AND THE INITIATIVE:
This campaign aims to positively impact the lives of more women and children by constructing a new facility. The current facility is full, and there is an urgent need to construct a new one to house more children and women who need help. The new construction will consist of a ground floor and 2 floors above it, as well as a terrace. Each floor will be approximately 6,800 sq feet in area and can accommodate 230 residents.
The total cost of construction is INR 3.81 CR. Of this, 2 CR has already been raised. We aim to fund the difference of INR 1.81 CR through crowdfunding.
FLOOR-WISE PLAN
YOUR KINDNESS MATTERS
We will forever recognise your generosity. For those of you who want to fund large amounts, we would like to recognise your kindness so that your legacy will be marked for generations to see.
AN IMPACT STORY:
COST BREAKDOWN
Total Cost of Construction: INR 3,81,53,697
Funds already Raised: INR 2,00,00,000
To be raised through crowdfunding: INR 1,81,60,000
All funding has 80G tax benefits.
ABOUT US AND THIS CAMPAIGN:
We are Aaroushi Deshpande and Kiara Sirohi. We are 17-year-old and Grade 12 students at Indus International School, Pune.
It is heartbreaking when children and women are forced to grow up without the care and protection of their families. Maher Ashram in Vadhu Budruk ( 30km from Pune city), offers a safe home to 186 such children and women. They provide them with shelter, emotional support, and a chance to rebuild their lives. Many of them have faced unimaginable trauma, including abuse, trafficking, and neglect. At Maher, they receive not only safety but also the love, care, and opportunities they deserve.
Maher Ashram is building a new facility next to the current one. The current facility is already at full capacity. The new building will have a ground floor and two upper floors, each covering 6,800 square feet. It will accommodate 230 women and children in need.
The total construction cost is estimated to be INR 3.81 CR. INR 2 CR has already been raised. We aim to raise the remaining INR 1.81 CR through crowdfunding.
THE FLOOR PLAN
THE LOCATION MAP:
ABOUT THE NGO:
In 1989, Sister Lucy, a dedicated social worker bore witness to a devastating incident on the streets of Mumbai. At the time, she was affiliated with the HOPE Foundation, and was unable to accommodate a young woman in distress. Tragically, the woman was later murdered by her husband. Left feeling helpless and deeply shaken by the incident, Sister Lucy was confronted with the harsh realities of societal neglect and the regrettable absence of support for vulnerable individuals that continues to prevail within India's spatiotemporal landscape even today. Determined to prevent such tragedies from occurring again, she resolved to take action. This conviction ultimately led to the founding of the first home under Maher Ashram in 1997, on the outskirts of Pune.
Today, Maher is a United Nations-recognized non-governmental organization that has expanded to seventy homes across India. Since its humble beginnings, it has offered refuge and rehabilitation to over 5,500 women and 4,600 children. More than just a shelter, Maher provides an inclusive and nurturing environment that supports emotional healing, personal growth, and community reintegration. Residents receive comprehensive psychological and emotional support, and are encouraged to engage in creative and productive activities such as crafting handmade items like tea coasters and doormats. Children under Maher’s care benefit from quality education and have access to diverse recreational opportunities.
TAX BENEFITS:
Funding for this campaign is eligible for tax breaks as MAHER is a registered trust and you can avail of benefits under section 80G of the IT Act. Foreign funding is NOT accepted.
FAQs
Will we get to know the details of who benefitted?
Yes. After the money has been collected it will be transferred by Fueladream to MAHER. They will update you on the details of the beneficiaries as soon as possible. Once we get this information we shall upload a report on the UPDATES section of this campaign. You will then get an alert and can read details about the beneficiaries.
When do I get the receipts?
The receipts will start getting processed about 4 to 6 weeks AFTER the campaign is closed and will be sent to you directly.
How can we fund this campaign with a Cheque?
Fueladream Online Ventures Private Ltd account details are as below
BANK NAME: HDFC Bank Limited.
BRANCH: Koramangala( Main Branch). City: Bengaluru - 560095.
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 50200013106778
IFSC CODE: HDFC0000053
Please draw a cheque in favour of "Fueladream Online Ventures Pvt Ltd", and deposit the cheque into the Fueladream Online Ventures Pvt Ltd's HDFC Bank account (at any HDFC branch across INDIA). After you deposit the cheque, please send an email to prasad@fueladream.com AND getintouch@fueladream.com with the following funder information.
1) Name of Funder:
2) Full address with Pin code:
3) Telephone/Mobile no and Email ID:
4) PAN of funder:
5) Cheque number:
6) Amount funded:
7) Whose campaign are you funding:
After the funds are received and the above details are verified, the fund amount will be transferred to the respective campaign. This can take from 1-3 working days.
How does crowdfunding work?
Crowdfunding in India is a relatively new concept and is growing very quickly.
It’s a concept that allows a large number of funders (like you) to fund an idea or a cause or event by giving small amounts of money online. Fueladream.com is a crowdfunding platform in India that allows for such pooling of funds. You can fund innovations and ideas on FuelADream and be the first to get these products or make them come true. You can also do a good turn by funding charities and causes through crowdfunding.
