Mr. Jitendra M Mandlecha

Mr. Jitendra Mandlecha has been the backbone of Turtuk Valley School since its founding. Born and brought up in Mumbai, the challenges Sir faced growing up shaped his deep passion for education and social work. Jitendra Sir took over his late father’s School - AFAC in Chembur - and has been actively helping underprivileged students to get quality education and career mentoring.

Mr. Jitendra strongly believes that education is the only tool to shape a good human being and a true citizen. He also believes that each Indian has the responsibility to give back to the country. Jitendra Sir has been assisting in the development of education in border areas, including UT Ladakh.

During his first visit to Turtuk in 2017 while on a holiday, his interaction with local villagers and children made him realize that the local schooling system needed drastic improvement. He initially helped students with study materials, and then supported Mrs. Sarah Shah and the daughters of Turtuk establish the Turtuk Valley School.

Mr. Jitendra has used AFACs expertise and resources effectively to help the students to get quality education. He has also leveraged his network to enable local women to be trained in teaching and employed them in the school.