Frequently Asked Questions

What is Asha ?

Asha is a non-profit voluntary organization dedicated towards increasing literacy among children in India. Its charter is to increase awareness among local communities and provide financial assistance for basic education to poor and underprivileged children in India. Asha works with grass roots level organizations that conduct educational projects in rural and economically backward areas. The basis of this pursuit is the firm belief that an educated population is a critical requisite as well as an effective catalyst for social and economic change in India.

Asha was started in 1991 when its founding chapter was formed in Berkeley. Today it has more than thirty chapters in the United States and is also registered as a trust in New Delhi.

How is Asha different from other organizations that have a similar charter?

Every other organization has a slightly different focus, and Asha's commitment is bringing hope into lives of children in socially and economically backward areas of India by providing much needed education and in some cases basic amenities also. In fact, Asha often works with other organizations, jointly funding projects or referring and receiving ideas for projects from them.

How does Asha choose projects?

Asha chapters receive project proposals from different organizations in India. Members of Asha go through these proposals carefully, and correspond with the organization, soliciting more information where required. Various factors are considered like the past history of the organization, objectives of the project, proposed plan of action of action, number of children covered, number of people involved in its implementation, an itemized budget, and any other relevant information. Finally, an Asha member visits the project site (at his/her own expense) to evaluate first-hand the organization, the site and the feasibility of the proposed project. It is only after s/he and the members are completely satisfied that the project is approved for funding.

The chapters of Asha are fairly autonomous and it is up to them to choose projects independently or work with other chapters jointly in funding projects. Asha strongly encourages members and people from the local community to recommend projects that they have first-hand information about and which could be monitored by people they know well in India.

How does Asha monitor projects and ensure that the funds are used correctly?

Asha requires the organization conducting the project to provide complete financial aid narrative reports (and photographs, if possible) on the progress of the project at least once a year up to four times a year. In addition, members of Asha going to India visit project sites unannounced to evaluate for themselves the progress of the project and verify the reports sent by organization. Asha reserves the right to terminate funding at any time if it is not completely satisfied with the progress. Realizing that the children involved are the ones most affected if such a situation arises, members of Asha invest a lot of effort up front in choosing the projects and the organizations implementing them.

How long does Asha fund each project? What happens to the projects after that?

Project proposals usually specify the duration for which funding is required from Asha. At the end of the term, some of the projects attain self-suffiency through support from the Indian government, some are taken up for financing by other organizations who are satisfied with the progress the have made, and some of them apply to Asha again for funding. Keeping in mind the need to broaden the scope of its impact in India, and the need to ensure that existing projects continue to thrive, Asha decides on a case-by-case basis the appropriate course of action. This could be either continuing support for the project, or recommending it to other chapters of Asha and/or other organizations that Asha works with.

How much of our contributions go towards the organizational costs of Asha?

None (0%). Asha has a dedicated set of volunteers who bear the cost of all administrative expenses from their own pockets. So one hundred percent of your contributions go towards supporting these projects in India.

How can I contribute towards Asha's efforts?

There are several ways in which you can contribute towards Asha.

How do I learn more about Asha and its activities?

Please attend one of our weekly meetings in the 3rd floor of Sears Building at Case Western Reserve University. The meetings are usually held every Monday from 6:30 pm.