Yesterday was a very special day for the Asha family. The Australian Education Minister Jason Clare visited an Asha slum community along with senior officials and Vice Chancellors from leading Australian universities. As the delegation walked through the narrow lanes, they witnessed the environment in which so many of Asha’s young people have grown up, and the remarkable journey they have undertaken.
At the Asha Centre, Dr Kiran Martin welcomed the Minister and shared the story of Asha’s early years, the challenges faced in the beginning, and the key milestones that transformed the lives of thousands of children and young adults. She spoke about the International Higher Education Programme, a programme very close to her heart, through which young people from deep poverty have earned places in world class Australian universities. Their achievements continue to stand as a powerful reminder of what education can make possible.
The Minister spent time with Asha graduates who received full scholarships to study in Australia. Abhishek, Juhi, Sumit, Sunny, and Tushar spoke openly about their struggles, their academic journeys, and the determination that carried them forward. Tushar, who once believed higher studies abroad were far beyond his reach, has now begun his doctoral studies in International Relations at the University of Melbourne. All of these young people are now employed in India, supporting their families and reaching back to help others from their communities rise.
There was a moment during the visit that touched everyone present. The Minister spoke of Asha creating ripples of hope that gather strength and turn into a movement, remembering Robert Kennedy’s words about how even the smallest act of courage can change the world. He told the students that Asha had placed keys in their hands, keys that would open many doors in their lives. His words were filled with warmth and encouragement, and the students listened with deep emotion.
The delegation later visited the tiny home of Madhu, an Asha graduate preparing to leave for her masters degree in Australia. Her room is small and simple yet full of determination. The Minister spoke to her gently, encouraging her as she prepares to embark on this new chapter. In a touching moment, he sat for a while on a chair at her father’s small roadside barber shop. This simple gesture of humility and respect meant a great deal to the family and to everyone who witnessed it.
Asha expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Minister Jason Clare for taking the time to come into the community and meet its young people with such openness and humanity. Asha is also deeply thankful to the Australian High Commission for its long standing friendship and unwavering support. Their partnership over the years has opened doors that once seemed impossible for children and young people from Delhi’s slums.
