Central New Jersey Chapter

Welcome to the Central New Jersey (CNJ) chapter of Asha for Education.

Asha for Education is an international non-profit organization committed to providing basic education for underprivileged children in India. Learn more about our objectives.

Our projects support blind children (Mathru, Karnataka), mentally and physically challenged children (Ashraya, Kerala), children of women in prostitution (Guria, Varanasi), and many more. Learn more about our projects.

Our fundraising programs include cultural events, community outreach events and annual Marathon training programs! Look up our upcoming events.

Our volunteers come from a diverse background-- students, executives, home-makers and retirees. Our bi-weekly meetings are held in Rutgers University. Read our meeting minutes. For a quick overview, check out our pamphlet, quarterly newsletter and support package details!

News and Events:

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• Current (WAH) Project Highlight (July 15, 2009): Learn about and support our 2009 WAH project, Ashraya. A well-accomplished non-profit school in the Kollam district of Kerala, Ashraya, is primarily a residential school for physically and mentally handicapped girl children but has grown since. Help support Ashraya's up and coming physiotheraphy unit that aims to serve not only the residents but also the community at large! With your support Ashraya would take a big step towards self-sustainability! Visit Ashraya. Learn about Asha's involvement.

• 2009 Marathon First Run (June 7, 2009): Our marathon program starts with a bang on 7th June at Johnson's Park! Come join the fun! Meet the program coords, coaches and fellow runners at 7am. Click here for details and location. Everyone is welcome! Please pay your marathon training fees before the 7th so there is no delay in sending out your personalized training schedules!

• Our Next Meeting (June 13, 2009): Come join us at our next meeting. Learn about what we do. Make some new friends. Help a good cause! Click here for location details and previous meeting minutes.

• 2009 Marathon Program Kick Off (May 31, 2009): Our marathon program is starting in mid-june! Come join us for our marathon kick off to get insipired! Learn about the program from coaches and past runners over delicious Indian food (for free)! Click here for details and location. Everyone is welcome! (This event is sponsored by the Rutgers University GSA.)

• Battle of the Minds - RIGSA/Asha Quiz (May 30, 2009): Come join RIGSA and Asha CNJ for a night of fun and entertainment. Click here for details and location. This event is sponsored by the Rutgers University GSA.

• GSA-Sponsored Dinner and Dance Party (May 2, 2009): Come join us for a night of good food and music (for free) this Saturday at the Rutgers GSA Lounge on College Ave at 7:30pm. Learn about what we do. Find out about our successes this semester and out hopes for the eagerly anticipated marathon program.

• Surbahaar 2009 - Bollywood Night (April 11, 2009): Our eagerly awaited annual musical extravaganza featuring Hidden Gems, a New Jersey based karaoke band, and several dance groups.

• WAH Coordinator Position (Feb 11, 2009): Volunteer to be part of the Work An Hour (WAH) coordination team this summer. Please email Aravind at AravindEmailID At Yahoo Dot Com for details.

• Slumdog Millionaire's Child Stars (Feb 13, 2009): Slumdog Millionaire's child stars (characters Salim and Latika) are first grade students at the bandra school maintained by our partner project, Aseema. Click here for a Asha Berkeley site report on this project.

• Purba's visit to Ushagram (Jan 14, 2009): Read about Purba's visit to Ushagram! Click here for her blog entry.

• Joy's visit to Sishur Sevay (Dec 19, 2008): Read about Joy's visit to Sishur Sevay! Click here for his blog entry.