Asha 2000

Since its inception eight years ago, Asha has been supporting NGOs in India with establishing and running schools and learning centers for underprivileged children. We have often asked ourselves questions like: Are we making a difference? Are we addressing the right issues? In the right way? Are we doing enough?

Asha 2000 is an attempt to answer fundamental questions about our effectiveness and understand the issues faced by the people that NGOs are trying to help. Asha 2000 was proposed by Shanmuga, an Asha volunteer from Princeton, who will be completing his Ph.D. studies in February 2000 and wants to settle in India doing social development work. He is leaving for India in November and plans to spend the next 18 months visiting 50 Asha projects all over the country, spending 3-5 days at each project. The goal of this effort is four-fold:

1. Comprehensive Project Reports

At the most basic level, each extended visit in itself provides a comprehensive look at some of the NGOs being supported by Asha. It answers questions such as, what is the organization trying to accomplish in the short and long-term. How does it plan to accomplish its goals? How does the local community feel about the effectiveness of the NGO? What role can Asha play besides providing funding? How is the organization working towards self- sustainability?

2. Comparative Project Study

By visiting various projects across the county, Shanmuga will be able to compare them. He would develop a hypothesis on which projects are more successful and why. This study would lead to sharing of successful ideas and strategies across various NGOs.

3. Understand the Issues

More importantly, it will help us understand the most critical issues at the grass-roots level. For example, poverty often cited as the single most important reason for children not attending school. However, the real issues are often quality, relevance and accessibility of education, rather than cost. Through Shanmuga's visit we hope to gain a better understanding of the social, economic and developmental issues facing India and determine common themes and differences.

4. Establishing the foundation

Asha 2000 is also a personal journey for Shanmuga. It will help him understand the challenges facing his endeavors towards doing social development work in India, and also the rewards of success.

The Princeton chapter of Asha is managing the effort from the US. Shanmuga will document his findings and communicate with Asha volunteers on a regular basis. The Berkeley chapter is supporting the cost of visiting five of the projects and some of the overall expenses of the trip. If you are interested in contributing towards this effort or would like to get more information, please contact us.

Asha 2000 Projects

Beginning with Asha-Ballia, Shanmuga is slated to tour the length and breadth of India to perform comprehensive site visits. Here are some selective projects that will undergo his scrutiny:

Path of Light: The National Association for the Blind, Valsad, works with the visually impaired. Asha supports assistance to the students and procurement of special educational material. The school provides academic and vocational training for about 60 blind or partially blind children.

Key issues - We need to determine the status of the planned construction of a girls’ hostel, and obtain information about methodology used for the blind.

VOICE: VOICE works towards the overall development of the street child. Volunteer-led classes are held on various railway platforms where children work, with a focus on teaching them to read and write, counseling them in hygiene issues, and encouraging them to join formal school.

Key issues - How do VOICE projects compare cost-wise with other non-formal educational programs? How is the progress of the children in the educational program monitored?

AID Bihar: The mission of the organization is to empower grassroots communities to decide and determine their own needs and development. The current project is for 11,000 carpet weaving child laborers. 89% of the children and 93% of their parents are illiterate.

Key issues - Due to the contradictory nature of site visit reports, a clear understanding of the present situation is needed.

Little Stars: This project aims to run a school for the poorer sections starting from nursery level to the fifth standard. The school provides nutritional snacks, hygiene instruction and extra-curricular activities besides imparting the three R's.

Key issues - How are the children coping after primary education? Is there an effort to achieve self-sufficiency? If so, what are the main challenges being faced?

Anugriha: Asha funds will be used to set up a model-school providing an integral approach, philosophy of the mother, techniques of Doman (including field trips, flash cards, videos, 1:5 teaching etc) and to increase the capacity of the existing school and teacher-training center.

Key issues - Non-specific demand for the funds, low number of students. What are their expansion plans?