Asha is Hope Asha for Education Colorado Chapter presents Namaste. Good Evening We hope you have been enjoying the show so far. We’d like to take few minutes to tell you what Asha is all about

Things we take for granted... A solid roof over us when we sleep A hearty breakfast, a decent lunch and sumptuous dinner with coffee breaks in between A mode of transportation to go from A to B Somebody to turn to when in need Inthis world, we take lot of things for granted like - Roof over our head... Food when we want… Transportation… Family to… Optimisma nd Hope about the future! But ladies and Gentlemen, Optimism and “Hope” about our future

“Asha” is the hope that we aim to provide to this “Child” But this child doesn’t have time to think about the future... “Asha” is the hope that we aim to provide to this “Child” This child doesn’t have time to think about all that --- He work 12 hours a day…helps his parents to make both ends meet… Ladies and gentlemen, Asha is the hope we aim to provide to this Child… and millions of other children of India...

Improvement in Literacy 1991 1901 1951 Near 100% literacy Since independence in 1947, India has made significant developments in agriculture, industrial production and information technology... We have come a long way in terms of education as well Several of our states have been successful in achieving near 100% literacy Himachal Mizoram Kerala

Disparity in literacy rates Census 2001 - 65% Overall - 55% Women - 75% Men However, there is still, a long way to go. The literacy is only 65% overall - 55% among women and 75% among men In other words …there are 350m people who cant read and write... India faces a dual economy -- there are pockets of progress and vast expanses of underdevelopment Access to basic education is far from universal Tribal and rural communities lag significantly behind the mainstream

The Vicious Cycle Lack of Education Poverty Child Labor The poor and underprivileged sections of the societies are struck for hundreds of years in the vicious circle… The circle of poverty…child labor... and lack of education ... This vicious cycle, is impossible to break, without universal access to education The Vicious Cycle

How? Can we do something… …to make a difference? "Can we do something?” Most of us realize the problem. We also realize that we have a role to play We ask ourselves "Can we do something?". "HOW CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does - Margaret Mead In 1991, a group of students at UC Berkeley asked these very same questions Asha for Education is what resulted from their efforts. B e r k e l e y , 1991

Asha is Hope MISSION STATEMENT To catalyze socio-economic change in India by focusing on basic education for underprivileged children MISSION STATEMENT The word "Asha" means hope in many Indian languages The name represents the hope that brings our volunteers together and the hope that we seek to bring into the lives of India's children …. a hope for a brighter future At present there are 35 Asha chapters all over the world Asha acts as a lens, focusing the efforts of people across the world -- Our mission is to catalyze socio-economic change in India by focusing on basic education for underprivileged children

Guiding Principles Volunteer-based Minimal hierarchy Non-political, non-religious Asha is a volunteer based organization, with a FLAT structure We do not affiliate with any political party or religious group All funds go directly to children's education projects; and administrative expenses are borne by volunteers Zero overhead

An Action Group Activities Educate Ourselves Raise Awareness Support Projects Asha is an action group. We … educate ourselves about development issues … raise awareness among the general public … support projects to make a DIRECT impact … and raise funds for the cause There are number of social - Non Government Organizations working in India …and they need help. Raise Funds

Life History of a Project Suggestions Site Visits Funds Proposal Site Visit Asha's focus is on primary education, and we lay special emphasis on girls' education We carefully select and evaluate the project proposals we receive The decision to support a project is made after significant research, careful evaluation and a preliminary visit to the project We monitor our projects through periodic reports and site visits Reports Asha Volunteers

Our Projects Ballia, Uttar Pradesh CAST, Tamil Nadu Jhansi, U.P. SEED, Tamil Nadu In 2000 alone, Asha supported more than 200 education projects in India Asha raised over $1m in funds to support these projects.

Raising Funds Individual Donations Asha Merchandise Events Asha raises funds for projects like these are raised through donations from individuals through sale of Asha merchandise and from events such as Geetanjali

Beyond Monetary Support Appropriate curriculum Innovative teaching techniques Linking NGOs While funds are important, Asha's vision goes far beyond monetary support Asha chapters in India have been playing a crucial role in grassroots activities … developing relevant curriculum … bringing innovative teaching techniques into the classroom … starting and continuing a dialog among non-governmental organizations around the country Beyond Monetary Support

Asha - Colorado Basic objective is to raise awareness among the local community about the need for promoting basic education in India and support education related projects Current and Future Projects - VRDC - Pune, Maharashtra DSSCOD - Dharmapuri District, Tamilnadu Sadbhav Mission, New Delhi ARZ - Baina Beach, Goa Founded in 1995 Professionals and students in the Denver-Boulder-Ft. Collins area The Objective - Raise Aware ness among the local community and Support Education related projects Our Present and Future Projects

Arz - Goa $2,500 from Geetanajali Center for Adolescent Girls Vulnerable to Prostitution Literacy Activities Tailoring Skills Increasing Awareness Self-reliance and Confidence Arz - A grass-root organization working in rehabilitation of the victims of prostitution and their families… Center for Adolescent Girls Literacy Classes Tailoring Skills to make them self-reliant Increasing awareness about HIV and Health related matters

You can make a difference... Become Asha Volunteer Support Asha Activities Make a tax-exempt donation to “Asha for Education” To sustain actitivities such as these, a committed volunteer base is essential. We invite YOU to get involved. And most of all, take a personal interest in a project by visiting it or by becoming an Asha Star Buy Asha Merchandise Take a personal interest…

Asha Stars Long-term Involvement First-hand Understanding $500-1000 per year Personal Commitment First-hand Understanding The ASHA Stars program is a way to get involved with projects at an intimate level It is a program where YOU, along with a group of like-minded individuals, take responsibility for a specific project Asha Stars pledge to contribute their time and funds for a single project for a period of 5-10 years Asha Stars get first-hand understanding of issues related to development, and see the impact of their contribution over time With a secure source of long-term support, the project is able to strike roots and bring about lasting change

The Hope more of this than this When we dream alone, it is only a dream. When we dream together, it is no longer a dream; It is the beginning of a Reality. WE, at Asha, are dedicated to making a change - … that we shall provide EVERY child with a chance to go to school So….

Join Us In Bringing A Smile On Every Child’s Face… Asha - Colorado Please feel free to visit the Asha booth and find more information …. Please join us in …. Join Us In Bringing A Smile On Every Child’s Face… One Child at a time... Asha - Colorado www.ashanet.org/colorado