Dear Friends,
As we complete another year, we bring to you the significant developments that have taken place at Asha.
Asha in coalition with the University of Sydney launched the ‘Sydney Scholars India Equity Scholarship’ in 2019. Its first recipient Abhishek Handa from Peeragarhi slum is now pursuing his ‘Master of Management’ at the University of Sydney. Chevening Award recipient Chandan Singh from Jeevan Nagar slum is also pursuing his postgraduate study in the UK, he is now working on a Masters in pure mathematics at Imperial College, London. The fundraising cookbook Hope & Spice was launched in India in October 2019 at another wonderful evening hosted by the British High Commissioner. In 2019-20, there were various workshops held at the Asha headquarters. Each workshop was designed to be very interactive and motivating for Asha college students.
In the midst of the sudden pandemic that consumed the world in early 2020, we immediately launched the ‘Asha COVID-19 Emergency Response’. This focused on the wellbeing of the families living within the 91 slums Asha works in, as the nation went into lockdown. Asha immediately formed 22 Asha Corona Warrior Teams across various communities. Each team comprised of young volunteers and the Community Health Volunteers (CHVs). They worked alongside the local police and local administration and assisted them in their crisis management. Asha provided monetary support as well as carefully planned food parcels to the elderly, disabled, widows, families with babies and small children, malnourished children, and people with chronic diseases.
As you go through this report, we hope you enjoy reading the stories of transformation and the impact of Asha’s Intervention through healthcare, education, empowerment, financial inclusion, and environment programmes.