With the inspiration from Thakkar Bappa, in the beginning, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram was established by Mr. Ramakant Keshav a.k.a Balasaheb Deshpande, on 26th December 1952 at Jashpur in Madhya Pradesh by enrolling 6 children of Oraon tribe. Encouraged by the success of this Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram over a long period, from 1978 to 1980, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram started its work in every state having Vanvasi population. At national level, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram is providing dedicated services in the areas wherever there is Vanvasi population. As per the policy of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, among the volunteers (men and women) nearly half are Vanvasis. Apart from them, several students, working men, professionals, retired volunteers are dedicatedly working for various projects like; education, health, agriculture, sports, spiritual congregations (Shraddha Jagaran) etc. Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram started functioning in Maharashtra in 1979. Shortly a public trust was formed in the name of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram Maharashtra. Presently VKA is running 18 hostels for Vanvasi children. Apart from the hostels, there are 3 schools, 3 Nurseries or Balwadis, 113 agriculture development centers, 5 dispensaries, 54 spiritual congregation centers and 804 allied projects are being managed. VKA is also implementing more than 500 social projects through full time dedicated volunteers. The Ashram has presence in 2000 of 5600 Vanvasi villages and hamlets in Maharashtra. From year 2010, VKA trust has been sub divided into 3 "Sambhags" (regions) namely Kokan, West Maharashtra & Devgiri. This will benefit in, VKA reaching in greater extent to interiors of all parts of Maharashtra.
