Latest updates and News of PHILANTHROPY By Tej Kohli

Education for women

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 11:22 am

But it’s not just children who find themselves in positions of vulnerability. Whilst great strides have been made in certain developed countries towards the equalisation of the position of men and women, the modern-day reality for many women in far more natuions remains at best semi-feudal, where women enjoy few, if any, of the rights enjoyed in the industralised nations.

Despite their vital role in society, and the contributions made in all areas of endeavor, women are still treated as second-class citizens, denied the opportunity to better themselves through education in all but a few narrow fields.

Moreover, in some cases, women become the ‘property’ of their husbands, and are limited in how and where they can socialise outside the home, if at all. In short, even at the end of the first decade of the 21st Century, the situation remains bleak for hundreds of millions of women throughout the world.

As with the children and others living in poverty his Foundation supports, Mr Kohli is a passionate advocate of the enhancement of the rights of women to both improve their educational horizons, and also make further strides in the workplace.

“Whatever people say there’s still a ‘glass ceiling ‘for women in the business world” says Kohli. “I only discriminate on talent and ability, something which every person possesses, a quality which only needs the right environment and stimulation in which to express itself.”

“Another major goal with the Tej Kohli Foundation is to encourage women to embrace these educational opportunities, as although their educational ‘poverty’ may not be visible to the naked eye, it’s just as devastating to their chances of living a fulfiling life…”

—admin | no comments
(posted in News, PHILANTHROPY)

Tej Kohli Philanthropic Activities

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 10:48 am

Having suffered a difficult childhood, Tej Kohli grew up with the burning desire to “make a difference” in the World. Many years, and a lot of hard work and midnight oil-burning later, he was the proud creator and CEO of Grafix Softech, a highly-successful interactive software firm.

In spite of his success, Kohli didn’t let it go to his head, and remained level-headed and philosophical, still keen to help others gain access to opportunities where none seemingly existed.

It was during a chance conversation with a friend, that Grafix Softech CEO Tej Kohli realized he could make a significant contribution as a philanthropist. Something he was previously uncertain about. Says Kohli…

“I felt like my gifts were not significant enough or perhaps, it just wasn’t my style,” Tej Kohli began. “But I had a friend who said to me, after seeing my name listed, “Tej, I know that you’re not a multi-billionaire, and I decided that if you can make a gift then maybe I can do one too.” I realized at that point that there is a value in letting your philanthropic gifts be known.”

As an entrepreneur with a passion for charity, it was only natural for Tej Kohli to create the Tej Kohli Foundation, which not only provides financial and educational assistance for underprivileged children in Costa Rica, but also encourages students to pursue careers in IT, Graphic design, and Internet marketing.

As the founder of the Tej Kohli Foundation, Tej Kohli has spent the past four years providing educational, financial and even lodging facilities to needy children.

Since its creation in 2005, the foundation’s outreach programs grow now assists over 125 students., with $300,000.00 of Kohli’s own money invested (to provide school equipment and playing fields) to ensure the Foundation consolidates and builds on its early success.

By doing so, Tej Kohli hopes to enable those less fortunate than himself to gain access to facilities and opportunities which would otherwise been out of reach and an impossible dream. A dream now becoming a day-to-day reality for each and every one of the students enrolled at the Foundation.

The Foundation adheres to a strict open door, non-discriminatory policy, which means young women, as well as young men, are welcomed through its doors with open arms and, through education, can enjoy the wide range of possibilities denied their mothers and grandmothers. There are even scholarship funds available to deserving cases, which are allocated after rigorous assessment and interview.

The primary goal of the Foundation is simple: to prepare these children and young adults, through access to education and lifelong learning for the pressures of the global marketplace whilst at the same time improving their lives, and the lives of those around them, by breaking the vicious cycle of multi-generational poverty.

His Vision Statement being: “a comprehensive education for every student, to empower them to lead successful, productive careers.”

The Foundation encourages young and committed talent to embrace greater levels of personal, social and professional responsibility, push themselves up to and beyond their perceived limits, and support those less fortunate than themselves, both in financial and social ways, creating a “Self-Perpetuating Culture Of Success and Virtuous Circle”, as outlined by Tej Kohli.

But according to Kohli, success should not be achieved – or celebrated – in isolation:

“One of the aims of the Foundation, and something I hold very dear, is to nurture the age-old traditions of charity, and social help. In short, I want every person with whom I come into contact, whether they’re students at the Foundations, or CEOs of my subsidiary companies, to understand the purpose and position of Philanthropy and social responsibility in our 21st-Century World”

—admin | no comments
(posted in PHILANTHROPY)

Tej Kohli Children Welfare Initiative

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 10:25 am

Childhood is meant to be one of the happiest times of your life. Unfortunately, for many hundreds of millions of youngsters around the world eking out a living on under $1 a day, the fight for survival on a daily basis is all they have to look forward to.

Born into poverty, denied the opportunity to better themselves through education, and often compelled to either work in squalid conditions for a pittance, or enter a life of crime or prostitution to make enough to live, their existence bears little existence to the so-called “poverty” of many children in the developed world, where the absence of a certain toy or game (often made by the poorest children in appalling “sweat shop” factories) constitutes “lack”.

It’s these inequalities which drives Grafix Softech CEO Tej Kohli to increase the scope and influence of The Tej Kohli Foundation, which has as one of its guiding principles the provision of appropriate opportunities for education and self-improvement, whilst at the same time giving each child nutritious meals and access to medical care.

—admin | no comments
(posted in PHILANTHROPY)

Be Aware of Fraudulent Relief Program in Haiti

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 | 10:14 am

The Kohli Foundation, founded in 2005 by Tej Kohli, a noted entrepreneur from Costa Rica, urges people to help provide immediate relief for the Haitian earthquake by making donations, but only through legitimate organizations such as the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (Clintonbushhaitifund.org) and the American Red Cross. The foundation is concerned about recent evidence of fraudulent pitches for disaster assistance. Also avoid the text and SMS forms of donations. While there appears to be no fraud in sending money through these means, it can take up to 90 days before the funds reach the end source through intermediaries.

Approximately 2 million people live in the capital of Haiti and the surrounding areas where the earthquake struck. The American Red Cross is now estimating that 3 million people are affected by the disaster, with reports of terrible destruction, widespread chaos and overcrowded hospitals. The Tej Kohli foundation feels that it is incumbent upon each of us to give, however little, to those affected.

“This is a tragedy of epic proportions that has affected millions of people in ways very few of us can imagine.” says Kohli. “Unfortunately, with these kinds of catastrophes, there is always the possibility of a secondary tragedy, and that is relief scams.”

The foundation is stressing the importance of following the FBI’s recent advisory, which includes:

– Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, and do not click any links contained within those messages.

– Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as surviving victims or officials asking for donations via e-mail or social networking sites.

– Verify the legitimacy of nonprofit organizations by utilizing various Internet-based resources.

– Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

– Choosing the right organization such as the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and the American Red Cross will ensure the money gets to Haiti, already one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. These organizations have well- organized distribution systems that can immediately deliver aid.

The Tej Kohli Foundation is a non-profit organization striving to improve the lives of impoverished children. With the cooperation of more than 50 volunteers, the foundation started in Costa Rica, where it worked to reduce illiteracy and poverty. They are currently planning to launch several health and education projects in India, especially in the slum areas. The foundation runs on the belief that the desire to help others, regardless of your background and circumstances, is a basic human drive, which when harnessed correctly, can provide inestimable benefits to those who receive it.

—admin | no comments
(posted in PHILANTHROPY)

Tej Kohli | Tej Kohli Foundation | Grafix Softech | Ozone Real Estate | Tej Kohli Blog | Contact Tej