About Us

Mendlife Canada

Established in October 2017, Mendlife Foundation originated in the heart of Delhi with a mission to provide education and sustainable livelihoods to the youth facing economic hardships.

In 2022, Mohit moved to Canada and identified a crucial gap in support services for Queer BIPOC and international students, particularly during the housing crisis in Thunder Bay. In 2024, the reach of Mendlife was extended to Canada. The focus extended towards providing vital support to international students, especially amidst the rising housing crisis in the Fall of 2023.

Mendlife Canada Inc. is a non-profit entity dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by international students. With a strong commitment to fostering a supportive environment, Mendlife Canada strives to be a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of studying abroad.

In March 2024, Mendlife Canada embarked on a journey to become a registered non-profit organization. This formal recognition strengthens our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of our mission. At Mendlife, our vision is rooted in the belief that education can be transformative. Join us on this journey as we work towards creating a world where everyone, regardless of their background, has access to education, livelihood opportunities, and the support needed to thrive. Together, let's make a meaningful impact and build a brighter future for all.

Board of Directors

Mohit Dudeja
President and Chair

Manisha
Secretary

Ankit Siwach
Member at Large

Megha Rohra
Board Member

Salonee Merchant
Board Member

Sakshi Bathla
Board Member

Raelyn Comeau
Board Member

Yuqi Ge
Board Member

Name
Board Member

Mendlife India

Founded by Mohit Dudeja in October 2017, Mendlife Foundation started by working for the cause of educating and empowering the underprivileged youth of Delhi to help them achieve sustainable livelihood. As Mendlife grew successfully with the support of many generous contributors and the collective efforts of like-minded individuals it is now spread across multiple states of India. As it has flourished and flies on the goodwill of many, it not only focuses on the cause of education and livelihood but also works towards making a radical change in the lives of people from other marginalized groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community, economically disadvantaged children, and women.

Mendlife Foundation is a non-profit organization registered under the Indian Trusts Act of 1882 | 80G NUMBER: AAFTM3015NF20221

This journey started when Mohit Dudeja saw people suffering due to poverty in many ways, He found that the reason for the suffering of those people was lack of education. Education- not just the bookish knowledge but also the skills to live a happy life. About 600 million young people in India are living below the poverty line. Millions of young people are unemployed, and millions of children in India are out of school. Working in hazardous conditions, living on the street, braving hunger, poverty, and violence. Their childhood is nothing more than an endless struggle to survive.

He knew what changes he wanted to bring, but the path was yet to be enlightened. What needs to be done was found by him in a word, livelihoods. He wanted to help these people stand on their own feet, be financially independent, be responsible citizens and create value for society. What began with the deep compassion of a heart and a vision to create change has now been realized as a collective group of contributors and supporters of a better India.

Our Mission

We strive to empower marginalized communities and individuals, and to promote social, economic, and environmental justice.

We recognize that many individuals and communities face significant barriers in accessing opportunities and resources, and we seek to address these disparities through our work. We believe that all people have the right to live with dignity and respect, and we are committed to promoting and protecting these rights.

Our work is grounded in a deep commitment to minority affirmative mental health practices, which acknowledge the unique challenges and experiences of marginalized communities. We believe that mental health is a fundamental human right, and we seek to provide culturally sensitive and affirmative care to those in need.

Owing to a largely hetero-patriarchal society, the queer discourse in India is sparse and limited. Apart from a few cosmopolitan urban spaces, the gay/lesbian/transgender identity in India is generally seen as pathologized and many individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community face rampant homophobia and social-ostracism. Even in urban spaces, queer identity is othered and is seen as a result of Western intervention. We believe in the power of words to challenge the heteronormative claim to truth, by synchronizing action and iconoclasm. Our mission is to craft and amplify narratives for queer voices in various dimensions of human existence through academia.

At the same time, we recognize that a healthy environment is essential to promoting mental and physical well-being. We are committed to promoting sustainable practices and creating pollution-free environments for all.

Through our efforts, we seek to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for those who have been excluded from traditional pathways to success. We believe that by providing access to education, training, and resources, we can empower individuals and communities to create their own paths to success.

Our mission is to create a world that is more just, equitable, and sustainable for all. We believe that this is possible, and we are committed to working tirelessly to make it a reality.

Our Vision

Mental Health: Our vision is to create a society in India where mental health care is a fundamental human right, and where individuals and communities have access to affordable, culturally sensitive, and affirmative services. We strive to promote mental wellness, reduce stigma, and build a supportive community that values and prioritizes mental health.

Livelihood: Eliminate Poverty by skilling people, motivating them to create their own livelihood, and a sustainable economy for the nation.

Education: Equip people with essential values & ethics for a stress-free lifestyle.

Gender: Create a Gender-Free society.

Environment Conserve and revive natural environments by reducing the need for restoration.

Our Team

Mohit Dudeja
(Founder & President)

MA (Psychology) MA (Education), PGDM (HR), BSW, B.Tech (CSE)


Manisha
(Treasurer)

MA (History), MA (Philosophy), BA (Philosophy)

Kiran
(Secretary)

Vocational Training



Tanisha Singh
(Board Member)

MA (Psychology), BA (Psychology)

Ankit Siwach
(Board Member)

MA (Education), B.Ed., B.Tech

Sakshi
(Board Member)

B.Ed., B.Sc. (Life Science)


Sunil Kumar
(Board Member)



Amit Bathla
(Board Member)

Bachelor of Arts

Naina Jain
(Board Member)

MA (Psychology), BA(Psychology)

Prabhat Singh Rawat
(Board Member)

MA (Psychology), BA (Psychology)



Sonal Sachdev
(Board Member)
MA (Clinical Psychology),PG Diploma (Special Education)

Zakir Hafiz
(Board Member)

M.Tech, B.Tech

Arjun Kumar
(Trainer)

Ph.D., MA (Philosophy), M.Ed., B.Ed., BA

Dr. Gerald Walton
(Mentor)

Ph.D. (Education), MA (Sociology)


Mansoor Jamshed
(Clinical Psychologist)
M.Phil (Clinical Psychology), MA (Psychology)

Dr. Rohit R. Banerjee
(General Physician)

MBBS

Dikshu Sharma
(Admin Manager)
MA (Psychology), BA (Psychology)

Jyoti Jadon
(Social Worker)

MSW, BSW

Nivedita Srivastava
(Mentor)

MA (Public Policy), MA (Education), BA (History)

Nancy Chadha
(Trainer)

B.Com.

Dr. Yogesh Bathla
(General Physician)

MBBS, DNB

Jis James
(Content Writer)

MA (Philosophy)

Richard Shane Hammish
(Trainer & Writer)


Abhishek Ranjan
(Technical Specialist)

B.Tech. (CSE)