Asha St. Louis

Mission To catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children. What is Asha ? The Problem: 26% illiterate population (world avg = 16%) Female – 35% Male – 18% India has the largest illiterate population of any nation in the world Only 40% of adolescents attend high school, --only 7% graduate 15 million illiterate children 12.6 million child laborers Literacy Map 2010, United Nations Human Development Asha means HOPE

What is Asha ? Asha’s Solution: Promote awareness Identify & Evaluate education projects Raise funds for them Monitor their progress and facilitate resources Asha Strategies: 100% Volunteerism – no salaries, honorariums, paid memberships or compensation Near Zero overheads – even 2.4% credit card fees are paid out of bank interests where possible If you haven’t heard of Asha, it’s because we spend $0 on marketing, and apply ourselves to work in India Non discriminatory & Secular – in both membership and in projects Non hierarchical – Collective ownership and decision making Project Values: Non political, Secular, No personal benefit No project funded until Site Visit Every project has a Project Steward in St. Louis Annual Audits & Site Visits

Asha St. Louis 1997 – Began in Washington University 52 projects funded to date 2012 Disbursed $31k, Raised $38k Activity tied to volunteer commitment Anyone can volunteer – no cost, no hierarchy, no bureaucracy Asha 1991, UC Berkeley 316 Active projects $ 20 million disbursed over last 10 years ~$ 3 million disbursed in chapters (67 in United States, 7 in Europe, 12 in India) volunteers around the globe

PROSTITUTION Dalits or Backwards Castes What does Asha do ? HIV / Health issues Social and Civic Skills Self Sustenance Community Commitment Vocational Training Education Policy and lawmaking Gender Equality Rehabilitating Orphans Child Labor Basic Education What does Socio-Economic change mean ? A child should have more choices than his / her parents Asha concerns itself with the whole gamut of issues that affect children. There are many “basics” that may need to be addressed before education.

Asha St. Louis Projects [DOOR STEP SCHOOL]* -(PUNE) OLCOTT MEMORIAL (CHENNAI) JAMGHAT (DELHI) HIPPOCAMPUS (RURAL KARNATAKA) SEED (SRI PERUMBUDUR) [BRIGHT LIFE *] – (RURAL ANDHRA PRADESH) [THIRUVALLUVAR TAMIL SCHOOL]* – (RURAL TAMIL NADU) [ASHADEEP]* – (VARANASI) * = PROJECTS UNDER CONSIDERATION

Asha Impact & Achievements Pioneered new initiatives in education Shared resource centers Education techniques and cyclical education Community programs and sustainability initiatives Improving quality & analyzing incentives Activities beyond funding projects Policy Level work & Advocacy (non political) Evaluating government school curriculum Facilitating collaborations and information sharing Increasing social awareness & responsibility Opportunities for leadership and contribution Awareness of development issues has spurred a movement of volunteers on a range of social causes, in India and abroad

How does Asha work

A site visit is performed to ensure that the proposal is verified. The findings of the site visit are reviewed by the chapter and the chapter decision is confirmed. Once funding details and FCRA have been established, funds are released, typically through wire transfer to the project. The Project Steward remains in contact with the project and monitors their progress and use of the money. Volunteers visit and check these projects while they are on personal visits to India. How does Asha work

St. Louis Activities Team Asha marathon training Work An Hour (WAH) Tarang – TT, Chess and Carrom Championships, Mehendi, Cooking, Trivia Dance Masti Pakodas in the park Festival of Nations food booth Notes of Hope Art for Asha Childrens contests Collaborations Regional groups, Balavihar NetIP, Sangeetha Umang, Ashoka, Oasis, etc.

Asha Fund raisers

Team Asha training program

 Volunteer with Asha - come to monthly meetings  Join - stay informed  “Like” the Asha Facebook Page  Run with Team Asha - team runs every weekend  Visit an Asha Project - while visiting India  Donate to Asha –100% tax deductible  Credit card donation at  WORK AN HOUR. org - donate an hour's worth of salary towards Asha  Asha Registry – ask your guests to donate instead of giving gifts  Shop Asha - Asha receives 2% to 8% cash back from participating retailers  Set up a recurring donation / Donate stocks GET INVOLVED rated Asha “a slam dunk” charity

Thank you. “ Sometimes we reach a point in life when we are thankful for what has been given us and the desire to reciprocate takes over. We wish to help those less fortunate in some way.” - VJP Srivatsavoy, Asha founder