PROJECTS - FAQ

Here is some information about the projects that are undertaken by Asha, an honest attempt to answer the most commonly asked questions.

1. What is an Asha project?
2. What is the focus of the projects that are supported by Asha?
3. What kinds of projects are supported by Asha?
4. How does Asha go about the selection process for projects?
5. Who finalizes the project to be funded?
6. How does Asha acquire the funds which are utilized towards supporting the projects?
7. How does Asha disburse the funds to the benefactor?
8. How does Asha ensure that the funds are utilized in a proper manner?
9. For how long does Asha support the project?
10. How can I contribute financially for the projects supported by Asha?
11. Is it possible to donate towards a specific project?
12. Does the geographical location of the project matter for funding considerations?
13. Can I submit a project for funding considerations to Asha?
14. Can I volunteer with Asha specifically for Projects?

1. What is an Asha project?

With respect to Asha, a project can be defined as providing financial support for a task undertaken by an NGO working on educational activities in a community. It also constitutes Asha volunteers working closely with the community and the NGO  .

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2. What is the focus of the projects that are supported by Asha?

Asha strives to identify non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in India which work on educating underprivileged communities in the the rural and urban areas in India. By education, we do not restrict ourselves to literacy based education, we look into all forms of education that act as a powerful agent of social change and enpowerment.

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3. What kinds of projects are supported by Asha?

In addition to basic literacy programs, here are other types of non-literacy based education projects supported by Asha:
-Educating farmers about better farming methods
-Educating communities on health and hygiene
-Educating communities on land rights

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4. How does Asha  go about the selection process for projects?

The project(s) to be funded are selected by the Asha volunteers based on certain project selection guidelines. The chapter as a group, decides on the project to be funded each year.

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5. Who finalizes the project to be funded?

The process of selection of projects is co-ordinated by the Project Co-ordinator(s) of the chapter. The co-ordinator works with the project steward of each project, during the life-cycle of the project. The project steward is typically the Asha representative who is the first point of contact for the NGO. The life cycle of the project begins with the receipt of the project proposal, continues on with the gathering of information about the NGO in general and the project in particular. Based on this information, the team decides whether the NGO will be funded. Once this decision is made, the project steward is then responsible for the disbursement of the funds to the project. The project steward also makes sure the funds are being utilized in a timely and proper manner.

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6. How does Asha  acquire the funds which are utilised towards supporting the projects?

Asha  gathers funds for the project in a number of ways:

- Fundraising Events : Asha  organizes fund-raising events all year round. All proceeds from the fund-raisers go towards supporting our projects

- Individual Donations: 100% of the donations go towards supporting the projects. The donors are updated about the progress of the progress, if they wish to receive the same.

- Merchandise Sale: Asha  sells certain merchandise like calendars, notepads, bags etc. Again, 100% of the sales are forwarded towards the projects.

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7. How does Asha disburse the funds to the benefactor?

Asha does not believe in third party involvement for fund disbursal. The funds are sent directly from the funding chapter to the benefiting NGO.

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8. How does Asha  ensure that the funds are utilized in a proper manner?

Site visits is the answer! Asha volunteers, either from the funding chapter, or any other chapter visiting the area, visit the project regularly. It is recommended that there be atleast 1 site visit within six months of the receipt of the funding by the NGO, and then follow-up visits atleast every six months.

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9. For how long does Asha  support the project?

The aim is to provide as much help as possible to the NGO and help the NGO attain self-sustenance. In many cases, a constant donor base is the only feasible means for self-sustenance and Asha  strives to identify generous donors while continuing to support the NGO.

Asha typically supports NGOs in two phases:

Phase I : where Asha is supporting the project/NGO for the first time.

Phase II: where Asha has supported the NGO for some work, and is providing support for the follow-up tasks.

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10. How can I contribute financially for the projects supported by Asha ?

    It is very simple to donate towards projects supported by Asha :

    - Donate online, using a credit card/check.

    - Send in the check in the mail to :

Asha for Education, Detroit Chapter,
P.O.Box 99034, Troy MI 48099-9034

- Cash donations to any of the  volunteers, during an event or otherwise.

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11. Is it possible to donate towards a specific project?

Yes, it is very much possible to donate towards a specific project. Although we believe that there should be no bias towards funding projects, we also respect the wishes of the donors.

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12. Does the geographical location of the project matter for funding considerations?

Not really, Asha  has funded various projects in India, irrespective of the geographical location of the project. Typically, assuming that two projects meet all our requirements, we would preferentially fund the project in the state with the lower literacy rate, and that is located away from urbanized regions. Currently, we are actively seeking out projects in Central and North India - areas like Jharkand, North East states, Chattisgarh etc., that do not have a high incidence of Asha-supported projects.

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13. Can I submit a project for funding considerations to Asha ?

Yes, we are always on the lookout for projects to fund. We encourage you to send in a project proposal form filled in with all the relevant information to the Project group of Asha . Please get in touch with the group if you have will like any kind of help in this regards.

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14. Can I volunteer with Asha  specifically for Projects?

Yes, you are welcome to join Asha  as a projects volunteer. Get in touch with the Project Co-ordinator for the specifics.

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