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Our team

Our management team is composed of the VOC Board and Executive team. The VOC Board’s primary function is to define and oversee the policies, to make certain that they are consistent with our objectives and philosophy. The Executive team, which also includes the VOC Board members, is the operational management team for the Projects. The team consists of Project Coordinators who function at the VOC corporate level, and Project Directors who function in the “field” at the project site

Board Members and Executive Team

Kirit Dave

Founder, Advisory Chairman, Board Member
Bio

Saril Valiyaparambil

Founder, CEO & CFO, Board Member
Bio

Mele Fernandez

Senior VP of Operations & Corporate Secretary, Board Member
Bio

Shubhada Pugaonkar

Social Event Director and Fundraising, Board Member
Bio

Lina Wang

Financial Consultant and Budgets, Board Member
Bio

Sonya Dave

Associate VP of Development & Outreach
Bio

Saritha Valiyaparambil

Director of Education & Guidance Counselor
Bio

Project Directors

Velayudhan Varandakunyil

Founder, Chairman, Neo-Humanist Education Charitable Trust (Kerala, India)
Bio

Shylaja Penatthazhath

Project Director, Evergreen School (Kerala, India)
Bio

Mohammed Kamal

Project Director, White Lotus Schools (Syria)
Bio

Our Partners

We are pleased to be working with the following international as well as grassroots level non-profit organizations. We deeply appreciate the dedication and hard work of the people involved in running these organizations and projects. We look forward to strengthening Voice Of a Child’s relationship with these organizations over time. We strongly believe that, by working together, we will be able to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

AMURT

AMURT is one of the few private international voluntary organizations founded in India. Founded in 1965, AMURT’s original objective was to help meet the needs of the affected population after disasters that regularly hit the Indian sub-continent. Over the years AMURT has established teams in thirty-four countries, to create a network that can meet disaster and development needs almost anywhere in the world. Our objective in working with AMURT is to build upon our past contacts and experience and to participate and make a difference in the services to all people in the world arena. We are a spin-off from the AMURT organization and aim to specialize our services for families with children and to focus our work in specific geographic locations namely: San Francisco Bay Area, India, Nigeria, Brazil, and Turkey.

India | Kerala

Neo-Humanistic Education and Charitable Trust, Kerala, India

One of the important goals of the Trust is to make holistic education available to children from all sections of society regardless of their economic status. With that goal in mind, we started Evergreen Elementary School in 2006. Currently, we have 145 children from preschool to 4th-grade programs in our school (3- to 11-year-olds). The school has been well accepted by the local community and is known for the well-rounded education that we offer at our school. We are constantly looking at ways to improve the quality of education as well as other expansion opportunities.

Brazil

Centro De Yoga, Petropolis, Brazil

Centro De Yoga is a community service organization established in early 1990. Our Chairman and Secretary are co-founders of this organization. We direct our service work and local project developments in Brazil through this organization. We developed a preschool and a basic computer education school for the young adults. We are also involved in the relief and rehabilitation work of the people affected by the floods that happened in 2011 and 2022 in the areas surrounding Petropolis, Brazil.

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who we are

Voice Of a Child’s mission is to strategically assist indigent people while fostering social consciousness. Our vision of global peace and cooperation is based on, “Human dignity through opportunities in education”.

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Kirit Dave brings over 30 years of experience in initiating, organizing, and implementing community service projects focused on self-reliance and empowerment. His global work spans Africa, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, with notable contributions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Brazil, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Jamaica, Mexico, and Guatemala.

As the co-founder and Advisory Chairman of Voice Of a Child (VOC), Kirit has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s vision and mission. He has a deep commitment to humanitarian efforts, and his extensive experience includes disaster relief work, fundraising, and long-term community development. Kirit served for six years as a member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) with the American Red Cross in Palo Alto, where he participated in numerous relief operations to assist victims of natural disasters.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, Kirit initiated and managed several community-focused projects, including founding a preschool in Palo Alto and organizing a food distribution program for the homeless in San Jose, which he ran for seven years. He also organized and led various fundraising events to support disaster relief efforts for both local and global crises. His work in Ethiopia to address food insecurity by organizing large-scale feeding programs for thousands of people on the brink of starvation earned major media attention and widespread acclaim.

Kirit’s notable projects include opening a free medical clinic in Gujarat, India (2003), constructing a Tsunami Relief Memorial and community center in Tamil Nadu, India (2005), organizing a major fundraiser at Washington University (2005), founding a preschool in Petropolis, Brazil (2002), and launching a trade school offering English and computer education in Brazil (2009). His leadership in these initiatives demonstrates his unwavering commitment to improving lives through education, healthcare, and disaster relief.

An advocate for personal and spiritual growth, Kirit has taught meditation, Eastern Philosophy, and music for over 20 years. He also mentors aspiring philanthropists, offering guidance on how to organize impactful community service projects. Kirit provides individualized spiritual guidance and teaches regular classes focused on developing and managing lifelong spiritual practices. For over 30 years, he has freely offered his community services to people from all walks of life.

Professionally, Kirit is an accomplished computer hardware and software designer and a seasoned real estate investor. He has worked for major Silicon Valley companies, including AMD and Fujitsu, contributing his expertise for over three decades.

With a strong background in leadership, finance, and social impact, Saril Valiyaparambil is driving the growth and influence of Voice Of a Child (VOC) through strategic initiatives, partnerships, and impactful fundraising efforts.

Currently, Saril is leading the development of a Cataract Surgery Community Clinic in India, dedicated to providing life-changing eye care to underserved communities. He has also cultivated partnerships with key organizations and secured substantial funding for VOC’s maternal care projects in rural Nigeria, ensuring improved healthcare for mothers and children in the region.

Saril’s commitment to education is reflected in his instrumental role in founding an elementary school in Southern India. This school continues to thrive, providing quality, low-cost education to local children. Saril actively supports its growth and expansion, ensuring it remains a pillar of opportunity for the community.

As a disaster relief leader, Saril has successfully coordinated large-scale emergency responses, including relief efforts for earthquakes in South America, India, and Haiti; hurricanes in the USA and Southeast India; and floods in South and Central America. His strategic vision and decisive leadership have made a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by natural disasters.

Saril manages the organization’s finances with a focus on transparency and sustainability. He also leads major fundraising campaigns that directly support VOC’s diverse global initiatives, ensuring long-term impact.

Saril holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and has developed numerous innovative product designs throughout his career. He is currently a Senior Design Engineer at Synopsys, Inc., a leading technology company in Silicon Valley.

In addition to his professional work, Saril is a passionate teacher of yoga and meditation. He has taught over 300 students free of charge, believing that meditation nurtures compassion and fuels his deep commitment to service and empowering others.

Mele Fernandez brings over 30 years of experience in organizing and leading community service projects across Brazil, South America, Hawaii, and Syria. Her work spans a wide range of initiatives, from promoting wellness through yoga to supporting education and career development for disadvantaged communities.

In 1990, Mele moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she became a key figure in promoting community wellness through yoga and holistic living. As President of Centro de Yoga de Petropolis, a non-profit social service organization, she leads programs including yoga and meditation workshops, food collection and distribution for indigent families, a preschool and nutrition assistance program, and an English and computer training school for underprivileged youth.

Mele continues to play a pivotal role in running the White Lotus Project (Syria), a preschool for refugee children and an IT and English language school for adults seeking career development. This initiative provides vital educational opportunities to help families rebuild their lives in the face of conflict and displacement.

Mele dedicates one month each year to overseeing Voice of a Child (VOC) projects in Brazil, further strengthening VOC’s network in local communities. In Hawaii, she has worked to promote sustainable food options at the University of Hawaii as co-chair of the UH Campus Food Alliance (2010) and has educated community groups on nutrition and disease prevention.

She has also spearheaded several fundraising campaigns for VOC to support disaster relief efforts, including earthquakes in Haiti, Nepal, and Syria, Floods in Brazil, wildfires in Hawaii, and Hurricanes in the USA.

A Registered Dietitian with a Master’s in Nutrition Sciences, Mele specializes in plant-based nutrition and is currently a dietitian at Adventist Health – Castle in Kailua, Hawaii.

Shubhada has been actively involved in community service since the early 2000s, focusing on organizing and supporting fundraising efforts for various causes. She served as Director of Internal Communication for a major fundraising campaign during the Asian Tsunami disaster and has continued to lead initiatives that create lasting impact.

As the Social Event Director for Voice Of a Child (VOC), Shubhada plays a central role in planning and executing fundraising events, building awareness for VOC’s mission, and fostering community engagement. Her leadership in organizing events ensures that each initiative not only raises vital funds but also strengthens connections with donors, volunteers, and local communities.

In addition to her fundraising work, Shubhada has been instrumental in supporting the establishment of a children’s school for indigent families in Kerala, India. She has also completed paralegal courses to assist with nonprofit governance and operations, broadening her ability to manage and execute large-scale social impact projects.

A dedicated practitioner of Yoga and Meditation since childhood, Shubhada now teaches Yoga to beginners, sharing the mental and physical benefits of the practice with others.

Shubhada holds a Master of Science in Computer Engineering and works as a Senior Software Architect at Intel Corporation in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Lina Wang is a highly experienced accountant and financial consultant with a specialization in audits. She holds a B.A. in Business English from China and an M.S. in Accountancy from San Jose State University. Lina currently serves as Associate Director at Deloitte Risk Advisory in London, where she applies her expertise in risk management and financial analysis. She has also worked with prominent firms such as KPMG and Nanosolar, gaining a wealth of experience in financial audits and corporate advisory.

Lina plays a key part in the financial oversight of VOC, where she manages budgeting and financial planning, and ensures the organization’s fiscal health. She works closely with VOC’s leadership team to develop sustainable financial strategies, streamline budgeting processes, and optimize fundraising efforts to maximize the impact of VOC’s global initiatives.

Lina has substantial experience managing a career development and planning company, where she organized and hosted major international corporate conferences. Her clients included top-tier companies like Yahoo, SAP, Nokia, and other leading Chinese firms.

With a background in Counseling Psychology, Lina is also passionate about supporting young people facing personal challenges. Recently, she has provided emotional guidance and counseling to high school students dealing with difficult situations, including academic struggles, family issues, and unplanned pregnancies.

In addition to her professional work, Lina serves as a Director on the Board of other 501(c)(3) organizations, contributing her expertise to their governance and financial sustainability. She is also a dedicated teacher of Yoga and Tai Chi, helping others achieve balance and well-being.

Dr. Sonya Dave serves as the Associate Vice President of Development and Outreach at Voice of a Child (VOC), where her primary responsibility is to drive the organization’s growth and expand its reach. Since joining VOC in early 2023, Sonya has successfully recruited new, passionate volunteers who are aligned with VOC’s mission.  She oversees the volunteer screening and interview process and works closely with some volunteers to secure grants, ensuring the financial sustainability of VOC’s programs. In addition, Sonya contributes to the organization’s communications by writing content for VOC’s website and other outreach materials.

With a lifelong commitment to service, Sonya has held various volunteer roles, including life coaching for individuals with mental challenges, counseling on a domestic violence hotline, mentoring youth in Chicago’s Detention Center, teaching computer literacy, and volunteering in hospitals. Her broad experience in service and outreach informs her current work at VOC, where she continues to make a positive impact on the community.

Sonya holds a PhD in Biomedical Science from Vanderbilt University and has authored numerous articles in scientific journals as both a researcher and medical writer. She has over 15 years of experience in the medical and scientific fields, having worked at prestigious institutions such as Harvard and Northwestern, and for companies like McKesson. Sonya currently serves as Associate Director of Medical Writing at Supernus Pharmaceuticals. In addition, she runs her own startup, North End Advisory, offering tech, medical writing, and AI solutions.

Saritha has been an integral part of Voice of a Child (VOC) for over a decade, serving as the Director of Education and Guidance Counselor. In this role, she leads key educational initiatives and social impact programs, ensuring that VOC’s mission of providing quality education and community empowerment is upheld.

At Evergreen School in Kerala, India, Saritha mentors teachers and staff to enhance academic standards and instill strong moral and spiritual values in students. Evergreen School is dedicated to offering affordable, holistic education to underserved children, and Saritha’s leadership plays a critical role in maintaining the school’s commitment to these core principles.

A lifelong practitioner of Yoga and Meditation, Saritha incorporates mindfulness and spiritual teachings into her work. She offers online classes that emphasize the balance of mind, body, and spirit, empowering individuals seeking personal growth and well-being.

In addition to her educational work, Saritha is actively involved in VOC’s fundraising efforts. She leads the organization’s participation in the annual Sevathon event in the San Francisco Bay Area, a major fundraising platform that unites over 30 non-profits. Saritha plays a key role in public relations and booth management, helping to raise vital funds for VOC’s global initiatives.

Saritha holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering and currently works as a Senior Application Engineer at Synopsys, Inc., a leading technology company in Silicon Valley.

Velayudhan brings a wealth of experience in education, community service, and spiritual guidance. With a career spanning over four decades, Velayudhan’s leadership is grounded in his deep commitment to holistic education, community well-being, and personal development.

He is the Founder of Evergreen School, established in 2006 based on the principles of Neo-Humanistic Education. Under his leadership, Evergreen School has grown from a modest program with 18 children in its Lower Kindergarten (ages 4) to a thriving educational institution serving 155 children from Preschool through 4th grade. His vision for community support is reflected in the construction of a modern 6000 sq. ft., two-story school building, designed to provide an enriching learning environment for all students. The school is renowned for its focus on affordable, true holistic education, catering particularly to children from lower- and middle-income families in the local community.

Beyond education, Velayudhan has organized free medical camps benefiting hundreds of local residents and is currently leading the development of an ecological learning center and organic farm to promote sustainable living.

A trained Meditation Teacher with over 60 years of practice, he has taught meditation and spiritual philosophy to many, and authored two popular autobiographies on his spiritual journey.

Velayudhan had a distinguished 40-year career in government service, retiring as Senior Auditor in the Accountant General’s office. His financial expertise has played a key role in the school’s sustainability.

Velayudhan’s leadership, combining educational, spiritual, and administrative skills, continues to inspire and drive impactful initiatives for community development.

Shylaja Penatthazhath is the Co-founder and Managing Trustee of the Neo-Humanist Education Charitable Trust, and a dedicated leader in the development of Evergreen School. She played a key role in launching the school’s highly successful preschool program and served as Principal from 2019 to 2023, during which time she led significant improvements in the school’s quality of education and overall operations.

A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, Shylaja leads a women’s self-help group, mentoring several women to achieve financial independence. Her love for ecology and organic farming drives her new project: the creation of an ecological learning center and organic farm to promote sustainable living and environmental awareness within the community.

Shylaja has practiced meditation for over 20 years, nurturing her inner compassion and commitment to selfless community service. She retired after 40 years of distinguished government service, concluding her career as Superintendent at the Kerala State Health Directorate.

As Project Director at Evergreen School, Shylaja’s leadership blends her extensive experience in education, community service, and sustainable development, inspiring positive change for students, families, and the broader community.

Mohammed Kamal serves as the Project Director of the White Lotus Computer and English Language Training Center and Kindergarten. This center is located on the Syria-Turkey border and is dedicated to serving refugee young adults and children, providing them with invaluable skills for future self-sufficiency in an environment challenged by intense climate change and more than a decade of civil unrest.

Mohammed is a freelance translator, writer, and teacher, leveraging his diverse skill set to empower individuals and make a positive impact in his community. He has extensive professional experience in not-for-profit organizations and a deep passion for uplifting underserved members of the community—particularly children and women—through education and advocacy.

In addition to his roles at the center, Mohammed is a certified Training of Trainers (TOT) coach accredited by the German Board. He also contributes to the field of journalism as a freelance journalist.