Our History
Discover the key events that have shaped our history
The Beginning
Our journey began with the initiative of Professor Dwivedi who was from the village of Barhiya, Azamgargh in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. He was a man dedicated to his community. When his children grew up and had started to work, he decided to donate his entire salary to his community. In 1984, he helped to finance and build a school in his village. In 1987, the Foundation for Freedom from Poverty was founded.
Project After Project
From 1988 to 2008, we built a school that provides primary and secondary education from which over 15,000 students have since graduated. Education is at the heart of all our missions as it is the most effective way to fight poverty. The Foundation also introduced technology into its programs making computers available to the students. Mobile clinics were also created and have treated over 60,000 patients. Many medicals missions have taken place including cataract surgery in partnership with the Eye Foundation of America.
The Succession
Sadly in 2008, Professor Dwivedi, the Foundation’s founder passed away. At this time, his son, Dr. Dwivedi decided to continue his father’s impressive project of “breaking the cycle of poverty” of the most disadvantaged. As Dr. Dwivedi had immigrated to Canada, there was no longer a physical presence in the village of Barhiya to continue the Foundation’s work. In 2009, a partnership between the Freedom from Poverty Foundation and the Comprehensive Rural Health Project was created. The Foundation then moved its activities to Jamkhed, a disadvantaged community in the state of Maharashtra, India.
Dedication
Over the years, the Foundation has operated thanks to the generosity and skills of its volunteers. They provide freely a variety of skills and services that have allowed us to raise funds, provide equipment and expertise, all with one goal in mind: educating and improving the quality of life of the less fortunate. The Freedom from poverty foundation treated over 250,000 patients till now.
Our Vision

Our Values
Dignity
We are committed to having these families gain respect and develop a sense of pride and success
Passion
We strongly believe in respect for human rights and work with dedication and openness
Independence
We strive to ensure that these underprivileged people develop total independence
Equality
Let us ensure that these people are treated equally, regardless of their gender, age, religion or social status
Partnership
Board of Directors

Dr. Shivendra Dwivedi
President

Mr. Vinod Dargan
Vice President & Secretary

Mr. Dominic Talarico
Treasurer

Hemant M.Shah
Media Relations Director
Forward-thinking and community-minded business leader.

Dr. Yogendra Chaubey
Director

Dr. Rajesh Kumar Tyagi
Director

Kumaresan Muthukrishnan
Director

Mr. Marc-Olivier Jussaume
Director

Justine Léveillé
Communications
Nurse
Dr Dushyant Sahai
Honourary Member