People
Trusties
Venu and Chitra
Venu (GVGK Raju) and Chitra have always been interested in alternatives to mainstream
education and living, and plunged into it in 2009, when their child was diagnosed with autism.
Initially, Venu worked with an edtech startup and chitra acquired ABA training and certifications,
so as to work with their child better. Sambhavam was formally started in 2016, as an early intervention
center working with families living with autism.
As their child and other children around them grew up, they saw that the many schools around them
not being able to meet the needs of children - neurodiverse or otherwise. This, and exposure to some
of the alternative schools they admire, led them to dream of a neurodiverse, close to nature, learning
community.
That dream started to realise when they were able to open Farm Hill Learning in 2019. After five years
of Farm Hill, and witnessing the benefits of a community for both parents and children, in 2024, they took
the step of opening Subodha Learning Community, a homeschool support center, in Banglore
They divide their time between Bangalore and Farm Hill Learning, Shoolagiri, where they live on a
mango farm in a community of teachers, therapists, adults and children.
Kian Dontam
Kiran Dontam has about fifteen years of experience working in the software industry in various
capacities with big names like Amazon as well as some interesting startups. His passion for holistic
education has led him to join farm hill education trust as a trustee.
He has a bachelors degree in Computer Science from IIT Kharagpur. He lives near farm hill learning,
where his child and wife are active members of the community.