The TejKohli Foundation was created by TejKohli and his wife Wendy as a philanthropic effort to address issues of poverty that could save the youth and future generations.
Much of Kohli’s wealth came from founding various tech companies while he was in Costa Rica during the late 90s and early 00s, the tail end of the dot-com boom. He invested as well in various real estate properties around the world. As someone highly interested in technological pursuits and innovations, he saw that many tech startups had a lot of potentials but little funding, so he focused his wealth on such investments.
Over time, Kohli has expanded his philanthropic efforts via the non-profit TejKohli Foundation, targetting the less fortunate communities in India, Costa Rica, the UK, as well as biotech firms dedicate to saving those who are suffering from ailments.
FundaKohli
Since 2005, the foundation has been feeding hungry children and the youth in Costa Rica, twice a day. They have also set up feeding programs in the UK in an effort to fight against holiday hunger. The long-term project is one that is bittersweet for Kohli, because while they are able to sustain this project for over fifteen years, it is still unfortunate that poverty and hunger continue to persist.
Solving Corneal Blindness
Corneal blindness is an ailment that appears to be more common in developing countries because early detection is not easily made available to them. At the same time, not many charities and organizations put a high priority on this, since it is not life-threatening. There are many challenges, too, in the treatment of corneal blindness, as it requires transplants that are scarce and expensive. Even if it is not a high-risk ailment, it puts the lives of people in jeopardy since it prevents households from earning their daily wages, and causes some youth to stop schooling in favor of finding work in order to help their families.
In 2010, Kohli began funding corneal treatments at Niramaya Hospital, and more recently, he set up an outreach program with Dr. SandukRuit of Nepal to provide free and widespread cataract surgeries in rural communities.
The Foundation has also provided funding to build the TejKohli Cornea Institute in Hyderabad, to focus on the research and treatment for corneal blindness. The foundation has also donated to Massachussetts Eye and Ear, one of Harvard Medical School’s teaching hospitals, for the support of medical breakthroughs to eradicate corneal blindness by 2035.
Providing prosthetic limbs
Kohli has also funded Future Bionics program, and with the tech firm Open Bionic in the United Kingdom, they have provided free 3D printed bionic arms for disabled youth in the United Kingdom. These 3D printed limbs are seen to be more advantageous and cost-effective, and Kohli intends to expand this technology to markets in India and China.
Although TejKohli made his wealth through various digital and technological pursuits, he has been able to bridge the gap between machines and humans by providing a bright future for the underprivileged with the use of technology, with many more humanitarian pursuits on the way.