“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” ― John Holmes
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney Mr. Michael Spence AC along with the Vice-Principal Mrs. Tania Rhodes-Taylor and the Chief of Staff and Director Mrs. Kirsten Andrews paid a visit to Asha on February 8.
After taking a round of the Asha Polyclinic, they went to Asha’s Kanak Durga slum community. A short walk amidst the slum took them to the Asha centre where they were warmly welcomed by the Women’s Association (Mahila Mandal) and the College students.
Listening to the stories of the Mahila Mandal’s struggle in the initial years of Asha i.e. some 30 years ago, Mr. Michael asked, “how did you ladies manage and what was the reaction of your husbands?” In a bid to reply, one of the Mahila Mandal members explained about the Asha Values and threw light on how they instilled it in each other. This is how the slum women made their men understand the cause of Asha and reason behind supporting it, she added further. The president of Mahila Mandal spoke about the infrastructural development initiative in the slum community and quoted, “Earlier, it was a slum but now, we call it a colony!”
After a cordial conversation with the Asha women, the guests started talking to the Asha College Students, Graduates and Ambassadors. Abhishek, a College Student who recently visited the United Kingdom, talked about his experience and shared about his travel to the UK. He also mentioned how big an opportunity it was for him to travel abroad. A few others shared their internship experiences in the embassies and multinational companies.
To encourage and motivate the aspiring Asha students, Mr. Michael Spence AC said,” the more you perform, the more you become efficient.” While concluding his speech, he also quoted, “I think it is possible to study hard, play hard and work.”
Looking at the background and socio-economic culture they belong to, all the guests applauded the students’ determination and courage to study amid such extreme circumstances and also spoke about future partnerships.
