Sampurn Development India was founded in March 2001 by Ben, an Engineer with a post graduate degree in Business Management, and Susan, a Pharmacist. After meeting in 1990 at the Birla Institute of Technology, Ben and Susan worked together at leading company Tata Steel Co. in Jamshedpur, India, where Ben worked as an Engineer in the Steel plant and Susan as a Pharmacist in the company’s hospital.

In 1994, Ben and Susan moved to Canada to undertake higher education; Ben completed an MBA while Susan completed the requirements to obtain a Pharmacy license to practice in Canada. Ben was then scouted from graduation to work with industry leader Procter & Gamble as Project Manager and Susan continued building her expertise in Pharmacy. During this time, Ben and Susan were noted community leaders: Ben held several key community roles: Treasurer, the India-Canada Association; Vice President, Quinte United Immigrant Association; Deacon, Hastings Park Bible Church; and Vice Chairman, Missions Committee, Hastings Park Bible Church; while Susan was actively involved in several community volunteering and outreach programs for children and the elderly.

In 2001, Ben and Susan made a commitment to undertake development work in one of the world’s poorest and neediest cities, Varanasi (link to info on Varanasi) . Their combined skills in education, heath care & nutrition, engineering and community development, coupled with their familiarity with the region of Varanasi and its dire needs, make Ben, Executive Director, and Susan, Director of Health and Education, an ideal leadership team for Sampurn Development India.