An honest smile is one of the best takeaways.
This month has been excellent for Asha as amazing teams from the United Kingdom visited and served its slum dwellers. They not only brought joy to the Asha slums, but the beautiful gifts of smile and learning accompanied it.
A team from the Wallace High School of Northern Ireland visited Asha’s Mayapuri slum community on October 26. The week turned out to be a pleasant fusion of fun and education. The team clubbed up with the Asha College students and Graduates to entirely transform the Asha centre into a colourful spot giving it an arresting aesthetic. The dance, wall murals, art and craft further added to the delight.
The Wallace team helped polish the Asha students’ communication skills and spoken English. Several fun-filled sessions were also held to make them market-ready for their professional career ahead. The team played, ate, worked and learnt together. “Each of the children in Mayapuri has a special place in my heart. Their warm hearts, energy, enthusiasm and thirst for learning, in spite of their circumstances, always inspire me. As this is my third trip to Mayapuri, it has been particularly significant for me to see the children growing up and continuing to build relationships with them. I will always seek to champion them and encourage them to achieve their dreams,” said Mrs Victoria Thampi (Teacher).
During their stay at Asha, the Wallace team, fighting all the stereotypes, went along the railway line in Mayapuri slum which is known as Asia’s largest scrap market. They walked long crisscrossing the heaps of littered scrap and grease to visit several Asha slum dwellers’ shanties. They couldn’t resist themselves but patting the backs of the Asha students, who live in such vulnerable conditions yet manage to study and also pay it forward to their juniors. The severe health statuses, the lanes lined up with junk metals, the proximity of the railway tracks and the shanties brought tears to their eyes. Megan Bell, a student of Wallace High School said, “My time at Asha has opened my eyes to many things. Spending time in the slums with the kids is something I will never forget, and I hope to bring home and live by each Asha value.”
The warm hugs, exchange of gifts and many promises to see each other again soon made the last day unforgettable for all. The one-week visit to Asha’s Mayapuri slum community ended on November 1 with a lot of memories to carry for life.
We look forward to seeing you all again soon with another journey of love and affection with Asha and its people.
Here are a few glimpses:
