Empowering students and communities through innovative educational programming and cultural enrichment opportunities in Sacramento and Northern California.
Explore Our Programs
Lavanya International is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Folsom, California, serving the greater Sacramento and Northern California regions. Inspired by the Sanskrit word "Lavanya", which signifies grace in its many forms—physical, mental, and spiritual—the organization embodies a timeless flow of compassion, beauty, and kindness.
Lavanya International remains driven by the belief that education and health are fundamental to building a brighter, more equitable future for all children.
Lavanya International is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Folsom, California, serving the greater Sacramento, Northern California, and India regions. The name "Lavanya," derived from Sanskrit, means grace in its many forms—physical, mental, and spiritual. The organization embodies a timeless flow of compassion, beauty, and kindness.
Lavanya International is committed to uplifting underprivileged children in California, India, and the developing world by providing access to quality education, healthcare, and growth enrichment programs. Our goal is to improve student achievement and empower youth to realize their full potential.
Founded by a close-knit family of dedicated do-gooders, Lavanya International was born out of a profound passion to support children facing barriers to education due to financial hardship, geographic isolation, or societal challenges. Recognizing the crucial role of education in shaping future communities, we strive to address educational deserts and foster opportunities for all deserving children.
Lavanya International is deeply committed to uplifting underprivileged and needy children by supporting their educational journeys in Northern California and India. We believe that education and development are the most powerful tools to break the cycle of poverty, and our mission is to ensure that no deserving child is deprived of learning opportunities due to financial constraints.
To bring this vision to life, we actively collaborate with schools and local communities, creating pathways for students to access quality education, essential learning resources, and mentorship support. In India, we partner closely with institutions such as Freedom Concept School and R.H. Higher Secondary School, providing financial assistance, scholarships, and educational materials to students in need. We also extend our collaborations to other schools to broaden our reach.
Through these partnerships, Lavanya International not only addresses immediate educational needs but also fosters long-term growth by empowering students with the skills, confidence, and values essential for success in life. Our efforts in Northern California embody the same ethos, as we connect with underserved communities to bridge educational gaps and unlock new opportunities for young learners.
At the heart of our work lies the belief that every child deserves the right to dream, learn, and achieve. By supporting these students, we nurture future leaders and changemakers who will uplift their communities and contribute to a more inclusive society. Our unwavering commitment to every child's right to education and health inspires us to make a meaningful difference both locally and internationally.
Leadership & Expertise
Prema Lata is a dedicated leader with a strong Army family background, embodying discipline, service, and a commitment to societal progress. She has extensive experience empowering communities, particularly women’s self-help groups, enabling them to achieve financial independence, develop livelihoods, and strengthen decision-making skills. Her passion lies in supporting vulnerable populations through grassroots initiatives, social service programs, and charitable activities. With compassionate leadership, she advocates for inclusive growth and social justice. Currently, she is exploring new avenues such as promoting women’s entrepreneurship, improving access to education and healthcare for underserved groups, and fostering community-led development. Driven by empathy and purpose, Prema Lata is committed to creating a lasting, positive impact in the communities she serves.
Pawan Bahuguna is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader recognized for transforming visions into successful enterprises and a strong commitment to philanthropy. He is the Founder and CEO of Guna International, an IT consulting firm established in 2006, where he oversees sales, marketing, operations, talent acquisition, and organizational performance. Prior to this, he founded OmniPros, an IT services company in San Jose, California, which grew to a profitable $15 million enterprise before being acquired by E4E Inc. He also served as Business Unit Vice President at Rapidigm Inc., where he launched and expanded the Silicon Valley division to over $30 million in revenue before its acquisition by Fujitsu Consulting. Besides his entrepreneurial pursuits, Pawan is a limited partner in a California-based venture capital fund specializing in software, cloud, and IT sectors and advises multiple startups on growth and innovation. He holds an MA in Human Resources from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Arts from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University.
Manish Pant is a highly experienced public health professional with over two decades of dedicated service in the medical field. Passionate about societal welfare, he has worked as a Policy Specialist in Digital Health at UNDP and has contributed to global health initiatives. Currently, he oversees UNDP’s Digital Health portfolio, focusing on digital transformation, health systems strengthening, and sustainable innovation, as outlined in the Strategic Plan 2022–2025 and the HIV & Health Strategy. Previously, Manish led UNDP India’s Health and Governance Programme, guiding flagship projects such as CoWIN and the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN), which are vital for COVID-19 and routine immunization supply chain management. His scope also included programs on non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, tribal welfare, digital innovation, monitoring, and research. Earlier in his career, he managed the IFRC’s Health Programme in Africa, overseeing projects related to maternal and child health, malaria, immunization, emergency health, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). Manish’s expertise spans public health, HIV, TB, malaria, epidemiology, monitoring and evaluation, and strategic program management, with a proven track record of delivering impactful health solutions at scale. He holds an MD in Community Medicine from University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi University.
Sampath is a passionate advocate of Takkam — creating meaningful impact — which forms the core of his professional and personal journey. He believes that true success is not merely about achievements but also about bringing positive change to oneself and the world. Guided by values of integrity, discipline, commitment, and service to society, he dedicates his time to teaching, coaching, and mentoring students, shaping future leaders with the wisdom gained from over thirty years in the IT industry.
As a business-oriented IT professional, Sampath has consistently delivered process improvements, cost savings, and value-driven solutions across diverse global environments. He has successfully established PeopleSoft Centers of Excellence (COE) from the ground up, scaling operations, building high-performing teams, and managing large global accounts. His leadership extends beyond operations to strategic areas such as thought leadership, business development, and key account management.
Sampath excels in partnering with senior business leaders to assess, plan, and implement IT solutions aligned with strategic goals. His experience includes establishing onsite/offshore operations, ensuring seamless connectivity, adopting best practices, and creating scalable delivery models for sustainable success.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Sampath channels his energy into mentorship and social contribution. He firmly believes that true impact is measured not just in profits or processes but in the lives uplifted through knowledge, guidance, and values-based leadership.
Aarna Bahuguna is a passionate founding member and Children Coordinator at Lavanya International. A talented and trained singer, Aarna brings music into everything she does for underprivileged children in India and Northern California.
She leads fundraising initiatives to provide school supplies, uniforms, clothing, and learning materials, while organizing creative workshops that strengthen confidence and communication skills. Aarna especially enjoys nurturing young voices through fun vocal lessons, group singing circles, and mentorship that helps children discover and express their talents.
With her warmth, empathy, and love for music, Aarna is dedicated to closing opportunity gaps and creating brighter futures—one song and one smile at a time.
Neil Bahuguna is an enthusiastic founding member and Youth Coordinator at Lavanya International. Inspired by his family’s dedication to compassion and service, Neil actively supports underprivileged children in Northern California and India.
He contributes to fundraising efforts that provide books, school supplies, clothing, and essential learning tools, while connecting directly with children through group activities, creative projects, discussions, and mentorship that promote teamwork, confidence, and communication.
A passionate basketball coach, Neil leads training sessions that teach skills, discipline, sportsmanship, and physical fitness—creating joyful experiences that build confidence both on and off the court. With energy, creativity, and heart, Neil is committed to helping every child grow, learn, and thrive.