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  Freedom to lead the lives we want to lead  Somebody to turn to when in need  Optimism and hope about our future

Asha for Education A non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to socio-economic change in India mainly using the medium of education

The Constitution of India – Reality check  Constitution guaranteed universal elementary education 52 years ago  Education declared a Fundamental Right last year  But… –35% of all Indians are illiterate –40% of children who enroll drop out –Over 65 million children in the age group 6-14 are out of school

Lack of education Where does it take a person?  Exploitation  Child labor  Lack of opportunities  Lower standard of living  Lack of confidence  Population explosion

The Vicious Cycle Lack of Education Poverty Child Labor

Asha For Education “Asha” stands for the hope that we aim to provide the underprivileged children in INDIA

 Founded in 1991 at Berkeley –By three students who felt that they could make a difference  Belief: Education is the most effective way to –Break the vicious cycle –Bring about long-term socio-economic change  Action group with volunteers who have realized that NOW is the time for action What is Asha?

Grown by leaps and bounds Chapters located in universities, metros in the US Chapters in UK, Australia, Switzerland Active volunteer base in India - Lucknow, Ballia, Varanasi, Kanpur, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pilani, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chitradurga.

Asha-Seattle  Started in 1994 by a group of students and professionals  active volunteers  Over 30 partner groups in India –Partner Groups – grass-roots, non- government organizations

Objectives  Form very close partnerships with groups  Provide assistance to these groups –financial, networking, material, technological  Seek out groups in rural and economically underprivileged urban areas  Learn and disseminate information

Working Principles  100% of donations collected reach India  All administrative expenses borne by volunteers  Flat organizational structure  Decentralized chapter decision making with respect to day to day operations  Coordination among chapters on common decisions via voting

Who are our Project Partners?  Non- discriminatory  Apolitical and secular  Improve the general welfare of the community  Close participation within their communities  Start-up projects are encouraged

Our work towards Socio- economic change  Innovative Schooling –Schools that encourage the spirit of enquiry in a child and help them make their choices based on nurturing the child’s interest and learning  Children with Special Needs –We support schools for special children with cerebral palsy, visual impairment, hearing impairment, slower learning capabilities and with special physical or learning needs. We also work with children in difficult circumstances such as drugs and prostitution  Working With the Government –Work with partners to reform the type of education that is provided by government schools  Non Formal Education –Schools created for children who are unable to attend an entire day of school

Our work towards Socio- economic change …  Formal Schools –Schools that provide full time schools for children with the syllabus prescribed by the government  Resource Centers –Educational resource centers which aim to improve the quality of schooling provided by different schools and offer training and resources towards this  Fellowships –Supports a fellowship program that supports individuals of the highest quality and unquestionable dedication who have organization building capabilities  Vocational Training –Vocational training programs cover a broad range of subjects from Computer training, tailoring, bee-keeping, agriculture (growing of certain plants), screen printing, carpentry, making greeting cards etc.

Our work towards Socio- economic change …  Community Awareness Programs –Programs that provide education that is aimed at raising awareness on various issues and creating an informed society  Child homes –supports the running costs of several homes for children (orphanages)  Support A Child Programs –Sponsor the costs for health, living and educational costs for individual children  Community Based Interventions –Initiatives that can have better overall impact on the community

Finance Numbers

How You can Get Involved YOU and Asha Learn More About Issues Raise Awareness Volunteer Raise Funds

You can make a difference  Volunteer  Donate –Stopping funding will close the schools we work with  Support a school (partial or full)  Support a child  Safeway cards

Volunteer Opportunities  Work closely with partner groups  Provide technological support  Collect and research material  Participate in disseminating information  Participate in organizing fund raising events  Market products made by schools and communities  Market products such as grocery gift cards to raise funds  Help build a steady donor base for Asha

Raising Awareness about our cause  Talks  Organizing events  Newsletters  Distribution of fliers at events  Word-of-mouth

Raising Funds  Individual and corporate tax-exempt donations  Events  Asha Stars  Sale of merchandise – Safeway cards, T-shirts, Asha diyas, greeting cards etc.

Lots of fun Events!!  Choti-si-Asha  Asha Fest  Asha Picnic  Asha Hike  Golf tournament  Chai at Ragamala/local events  Concerts - AllgoRhythms

Get Involved with Asha General Meeting (Twice a month) Excellent way of getting to know the organization

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  Freedom to lead the lives we want to lead  Somebody to turn to when in need  Optimism and “Hope” about our future

“A Hundred Years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a CHILD” - Kathy Davis YOU and I can make a difference. The Hope

Asha for Education UW-Chapter Send All donations to Asha for Education are tax deductible under IRS code 501 (c) 3. Contact