ashanet.org/centralnj An action group for BASIC EDUCATION in India

ashanet.org/centralnj India Literacy Rate Literacy Rate in India

ashanet.org/centralnj THE VICIOUS CYCLE Lack of Education Poverty Child Labor

ashanet.org/centralnj SOME LESSER KNOWN FACTS More that 90% rural parents believe education is very important for their children In rural India sending a child to school on a regular basis requires a great deal of effort

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

ashanet.org/centralnj Lack of education –Child Exploitation –Child labor –Population explosion –Unsanitary conditions –Lower standard of living

ashanet.org/centralnj Can we do something… …to make a difference? Can we do something… …to make a difference? How?

ashanet.org/centralnj Our Mission To catalyze socio-economic change in India through education of underprivileged children

ashanet.org/centralnj Asha (“Hope”) Non-profit ZERO overhead organization Run entirely by volunteers Non-political Non-religious Volunteers work closely with education projects

ashanet.org/centralnj Asha works with NGOs in India ◊ Education projects ◊ Women’s issues, health care, environment etc. Asha members ◊ Provide financial support ◊ Actively involved in projects Asha (“Hope”) Asha is a Non-profit zero overhead organization

ashanet.org/centralnj Formal schoolsUrban/Rural children Evening schoolsStreet children Vocational training centersSexually exploited Orphanage homesTribal population Mobile laboratoriesMigrant laborers Support A Child Formal schoolsUrban/Rural children Evening schoolsStreet children Vocational training centersSexually exploited Orphanage homesTribal population Mobile laboratoriesMigrant laborers Support A Child Formal schoolsUrban/Rural children Evening schoolsStreet children Vocational training centers Support A Child Orphanage homesTribal children Mobile laboratoriesMigrant laborers TYPES OF PROJECTS

ashanet.org/centralnj

Asha Projects: Basic Criteria Must improve the general welfare of the community with basic education as a major component Non-sectarian groups which do not have any political or religious agenda Do not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion or sex Small, yet, deserving projects that find it difficult to obtain funds from elsewhere

ashanet.org/centralnj Over 1000 active volunteers in over 40 chapters Central NJ

ashanet.org/centralnj CENTRAL NJ CHAPTER ‘Asha’ known and accepted in New Jersey Continued support from our patrons and well- wishers. We have committed volunteers from diverse backgrounds Immense potential in this region -looking to grow and expand

ashanet.org/centralnj ACHIEVEMENTS Asha Global Funds Raised 2001 $1.13 M 2000 $1.04 M 1999 $0.70 M 1998 $0.55 M Over 600 projects supported since inception in 1991 Central NJ $25,000 net amount raised in 2002 SURBAHAAR TV/Radio/Newspaper coverage Publicity campaign targeted over 10,000 Indians in NJ/NY Very successful event Currently involved with 6 projects

ashanet.org/centralnj Asha Central NJ Projects Seva Chakkra Orphanage, Chennai (Orphanage) Guria, Varanasi(UP) (Children of Women in Prostitution) Save the Children’s Home Calcutta (Girls Orphanage) Vasundhara, Sindhudurg(Maharashtra) Science on Wheels Project Usha Kiran Eye Hospital, (Karnataka) (Eye Exams and Correctional Surgeries of School Children) Rehab Centre for Women Tiruchirapalli(TN) (Education/Vocational : Blind Girls

ashanet.org/centralnj CENTRAL NJ PROJECTS Save The Children Home West Bengal Seva Chakkra Orphanage School Tamil Nadu Guria, Education for children of commercial sex workers Uttar Pradesh Vasundhara, Science Education Maharashtra

ashanet.org/centralnj YOU and Asha Sponsor events Publicize Volunteer Support a Project

ashanet.org/centralnj Our Hearts, Their Minds, One Hope MORE of this … Less of this …

ashanet.org/centralnj Contact Us Web: Postal: Asha For Education P.O Box 285 New Brunswick, NJ Mailing list: Pankaj V. Paranjpe: Ranjini Venkatesan: