What began as just a few conversations over cups of chai, ultimately ended up with a greater idea on how we could 'believe in better' - given that charity begins at home - to "spread more smiles".  
 
The Ashoka Tree was founded by  Reethika Azariah Kuruvilla, who, with Prathibha Nair, built a platform to create a change in the way pre-school education is handled across India, one child at a time.  

​The Ashoka Tree has been a dream that finally took root in an endeavor to ensure every child has equal opportunities to read, play and smile.
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Here is where we have found 'every crayon counts' - every crayon that gets thrown away unused could be used elsewhere by a child who doesn't own even one.  

It does take a village, and The Ashoka Tree would not be able to reach out to the over 80,000 children (and counting) in unaided play schools across India  today without the backing of our fascinating team.
​An enthusiastic group of volunteers and interns contribute to the number of children we are able to reach every day.

A commendable team of like-minded people, we all work towards a common aim.

• Shanthi Sreenivasan, CA, takes care of our accounts.
• Jai Krishnan leads operations in South India.
• Sravana Rajan leads operations in Tamil Nadu.
  
• Ashwini Srinivas leads operations in Kerala.
• The MOB Project team handles our operations in the Nilgiris.
• Lopamudra Sarangi leads operations in Orissa

We work sharing donations and funds with the underprivileged for better education and living.
 
Currently operating in South India, Maharashtra, Karnataka & Orissa, The Ashoka Tree  aims to expand operations throughout India in the years to come.
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There are clearly enough children waiting to smile, and we'd like to be the change we want to see in our community today.
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People We Help
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Play schools and Special Schools in South India 
 
We further look to partnering with individuals and organizations to expand the scope of our operations, improving the lives of people around the world.
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What We Aim to Do
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• To improve facilities, teaching aids and infrastructure in unaided play schools across India
•  To work towards equal rights for women and children 
• To offer aid in times of natural calamities

Where We Are
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With lead operations in Chennai and Kochi, we work with 3500+ unaided play schools in both urban & rural Tamil Nadu and Kerala at present.
 With time, we hope to widen our reach throughout India
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Why We Do What We Do

• We believe every child has the right to play and read.
• We believe in taking responsibility for our actions hoping to inspire others.
• We believe in the power of hope and our ability to create a change in humanity.
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At The Ashoka Tree, we believe everybody deserves a reason to smile.  We Spread More Smiles.