My name is Samiksha D Radder. I am 16 years old and a DP1 (Grade 11) student at the Indus International School, Pune.

Maher Ashram runs a secure home for abandoned children and women that gives them a chance to rebuild their lives. Located in Vadhu Budruk (30 km from Pune city) they provide them with a safe and secure environment.

There are currently 186 residents (156 children and 30 women) who live here (as of Oct 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 now need to build a new facility (next to the current home) as they are full and need to expand.

The new building will have a ground floor and two upper floors, each covering 6,800 square feet. It will have the capacity to accommodate 230 women and children for perpetuity.

The total construction cost is estimated to be INR 3.8 Crore. Over INR 2 crore has already been raised (ie over 50%) and through this crowdfunding campaign me and my fellow classmates at Indus are aiming to raise as much as possible to bridge the deficit. The more we raise the quicker the NGO will get to their goal of raising funds.

There are exciting rewards for BIG funders - so be generous and let's help bring to life a home that will touch the lives of many a abandoned child and woman.