The World Today If earth’s population was 100, there would be: 52 females and 48 males 6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth – all 6 would be from the US 80 would live in substandard housing  70 would be unable to read 50 would suffer from malnutrition  1 (yes, only one) would have a college education 1 would own a computer

Literacy Rates Worldwide Source: UNICEF 1999

Literacy – Where Does India Stand ? Source: Calculated from census data Total Population vs. Illiterate Population 4 times the population of Germany

India – Where is it ?

Social Disparity Literacy rate ( in % ) Source: Indian 2001 Census data Variation in Literacy Rates

Social & Regional Disparity Variation in Literacy Rates Literacy rate ( in % ) Source: Indian 2001 Census data An outline map of India

The Vicious Cycle Lack of Education Dependence Poverty

Why Education ? Awareness of Rights Ability to Exercise Civic Rights Improved Access to Opportunities Economic Mobility Improve Gender Equality Overall Development

Is there a hope ?

Can We do something… …to make a DIFFERENCE ? HOW ? ?

Asha in Hindi and in many regional languages means ‘Hope’ The hope that we want to bring into the life of every child What Asha Means ?

“To catalyze socio-economic change through education for the underprivileged children in India” Our Mission

Asha – An Introduction ‘Asha for Education’ is a non-profit organization Asha hopes to provide education for under- privileged children in India Run entirely by volunteers Contributions go entirely to beneficiaries, since Asha has no operational overheads Asha supports socio-economic change

Projects have sustainable performance Use of alternate teaching methods Projects visited on a regular basis Has no political or religious affiliations Asha supports socio-economic change Asha – An Introduction

Asha Founder – 2002 Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner Dr. Sandeep Pandey is one of the founders of Asha for Educationfounders Received the Magsaysay Award in Emergent Leadership category for his work towards upliftment of underprivileged in India

Asha – What do We Stand for ? Social, political or national development – starts with education of children Money raised through fundraisers to help groups involved in children's education

Asha – Some Facts Started in the USA in UC Berkeley in chapters in India, USA, Europe and Australia with active volunteers 600 projects in 20 states in India sponsored by total disbursements of over $3 million till now In 2002 Asha chapters raised $1.13 million and disbursed close to $970,000 to over 200 projects

Our Projects Dots represent the distribution of projects across India

Asha – Our Achievements Number of unique projects In ‘000 USD Year on Year Performance Number of projects financed and percentage of funds disbursed to funds raised on the rise

Project Monitoring Monitoring done by Asha volunteers Projects provide finance statements, progress reports and correspond on management issues Projects monitored for –reduction in dropout rate –commitment to socio-economic change in the region –increase in number of students –improvement in facilities

Asha Munich Asha Munich is a Chapter of ‘Asha for Education’ Came into existence in January 2003 Started by a group of Indian professionals working in and around Munich The objective – mobilize Indians and Germans to collectively support education in India Raise funds through cultural programs, tournaments, fundraisers and voluntary contributions

Our Plans Concerts – Pt. HariPrasad Chaurasia on 22 Nov ’03 Events Individual and corporate tax-exempt donations Work an Hour (WAH) annual fundraiser Sale of merchandise – T-shirts, greeting cards, etc

Pandit Shri HariPrasad Chaurasia Pandit Shri HariPrasad Chaurasia is an eminent artist recognized for his outstanding contribution in popularizing Indian art music throughout the world. In Europe he is hailed as ‘Chopin of Flute’. His consummate artistry has distinguished him as the greatest living master of the bansuri, the North Indian bamboo flute. In addition to his performances and compositions, Pt. Chaurasia is a dedicated teacher with several students throughout the world. Panditji has been felicitated with the ‘PadmaVibhushan’ (second highest civilian award)

How Can You Get Involved ? YOU & Asha Learn More About Issues Publicize Volunteer Support a Project

Asha Wide Participation Stay up-to-date with Asha activities, worldwide. Asha in India – The next time you visit India, stop by our projects or our chapters all over India like Bombay, Madras, Delhi, Lucknow, Bangalore, etc.

Our Dream, Our Goal All over India !!

Contact Details More Information: Asha for Education: Asha Munich: Registered Address: c/o Gosain/Walz Guntherstrasse Munich Germany