About us

Mahesh Parusha, the Founder of Parusha Foundation, was born into a middle-class family with four children and a single income from his father. Growing up with limited resources, we never had a TV or a refrigerator during my childhood. Despite these constraints, I was filled with curiosity and had many questions about life and opportunities as I learned at school. Education was a primary focus, but I had a passion for mathematics and science experiments and lacked opportunities to experience them. Financial and resource limitations prevented me from attending science fairs and participating in Math Olympiads, which became a dream deferred.

After high school, driven by my interest in mathematics and science, I pursued a diploma in engineering. I couldn’t stay in the dormitory and had to travel two hours each way to attend classes, often missing some due to commute delays. Despite these challenges, my zeal for learning helped me complete the course. However, I faced knowledge gaps and needed to secure admission to an engineering college. With my financial state and resources, obtaining paid training for the highly competitive exam (with 100,000 brilliant students competing and only 15,000 qualifying) was a significant challenge. Despite several failures, I persisted and succeeded on my third attempt. This achievement, along with completing my bachelor’s in engineering, laid a strong foundation for my journey to the US, where I encountered a world of opportunities.

I arrived in the USA in 2001 to pursue a master’s degree at Bridgeport University with the help of a student loan, which covered only my first semester’s fees and living expenses for up to four months. Each day was a sleepless struggle to achieve my dream and survive. By the end of the semester, funds were depleted, and I was exploring other options. Fortunately, I received a scholarship at Lamar University, Texas, allowing me to complete my course successfully.

A persistent question haunted me: “What’s the purpose of my existence beyond acquiring education and achieving success?” This question was profoundly answered when I learned about Warren Buffet’s decision in 2006 to direct most of his assets to charity. It shocked, inspired, and motivated me, leading me to reflect on my own experiences with financial hardships and lack of support. This inspiration led me to envision not only a STEM platform but also a sustainable model that would offer unconditional, unbiased opportunities for kids to learn and thrive.

My life lessons and Warren Buffet’s example transformed my goal into reality when I achieved my naturalization as a US citizen. This country has shaped my dreams and focused my struggles and achievements towards a greater cause. In 2019, I committed myself and my earnings to support this model, ensuring that personal commitments like marriage or family would not divert me from this cause. I am proud to be part of this journey and eager to see many more children benefit from this model.