From Bengaluru to Silicon Valley: A foundation of giving
Vishy and Sumana’s stories began in different parts of Karnataka, India, where they both grew up before marriage brought them together and opportunity brought them to the United States. As Vishy developed his career as a software engineer and Sumana took courses to become a preschool teacher, they never forgot their roots—or the values that shaped them.
“When I was growing up, my dad always said, ‘When you start making money, you should give part of it to a good cause,” Vishy said. “Dad said, ‘Don’t just think of yourself. Be generous.’”
By 2000, as their careers flourished and the couple began having children of their own, that childhood lesson from Vishy’s father finally felt actionable. They had the means to give back—and a desire to be the difference for vulnerable children.
Building a legacy of family philanthropy
“Helping children in need is a cause dear to us,” Vishy explains. But rather than giving to any organization that supports children, Vishy and Sumana were drawn to the SOS model.
Unlike traditional orphanages—where caregiver to child ratios are as high as 1:31—SOS’ innovative village model guarantees children have the trusting relationship with a nurturing caregiver that is essential to their emotional, physical and mental development. Plus, each child has access to all the resources they need to succeed—like professional health care, quality education, nutritious food and so much more.
The couple chose to give specifically to the SOS village in their hometown of Bengaluru, and, after supporting SOS for ten years, Vishy, Sumana and their young children visited the village in Bengaluru for the first time in 2010.
During the visit, one of the SOS Mothers shared a story that captured the transformative power of a loving family. A child she had raised years earlier was returning home—not just to visit, but to give birth to her own child.
“In India, there’s a custom that when a woman is about to give birth, she goes back to her parents’ house, and her parents help her with the newborn,” Vishy explained. “The village is truly a home for children. That’s a huge difference between any other charity and SOS—the everlasting bond between mother and children and the stability they grow up with.”
Seven years later, the family visited the village again, and Vishy and Sumana continued passing down the values that shaped them to their children.
“In the same way that my dad made me aware, I wanted to make sure that my children are not self-centered but always think about other people,” Vishy said.
The trip accomplished exactly what they hoped—and more.
“We are both really proud that are children have now become SOS supporters,” Vishy said. “As parents, it’s a good legacy we’re passing on.”
Discovering Sevathon: An event that puts the “fun” in fundraising
In 2016, after 16 years of steady support, the Kasars were ready to amplify their impact. That’s when a friend introduced them to Sevathon—a Bay Area fundraising event that combines fitness with philanthropy in India.
Sevathon—where Seva means “service” in Sanskrit—immediately appealed to the couple: participants could run, walk or do yoga while raising money for the charitable organizations they were passionate about.
“It’s a fun, physical activity for the whole family that invests in future generations,” Sumana said. “Our friends who have joined us tell us how their running distances or time doing yoga has increased since joining Sevathon, so it really benefits everybody—your personal health as well as giving to those who need it.”
One year at Sevathon, as Vishy and Sumana were standing at the SOS booth, a young man approached them. The couple began to share about SOS’ village model and child sponsorship opportunities, but he stopped them mid-sentence.
“There’s no need to explain,” the young man said. “I actually grew up in an SOS Children’s Village.”
“That was amazing—to meet a person who has benefitted from this work,” Vishy said.
Join our village at Sevathon 2025 and start your own impact story
What started as a father sowing words of wisdom in his son’s life has blossomed into a family legacy that spans continents.
And when you get involved today, you can create a ripple effect of good that echoes through the life of your family and children in need.
Make a difference today by:
— Participating in Sevathon 2025. Join Vishy, Sumana and other SOS supporters in-person or virtually at this year’s Sevathon on September 28.
— Donating to the Sevathon 2025 fundraiser. Give to Vishy and Sumana’s online fundraiser and deliver the priceless gift of family to a child in need in Bengaluru.
— Sponsoring a child. Learn how you can transform a child’s life with a safe, loving home and everything they need to thrive.
Support this work