Projects

Asha - San Diego is a new chapter and we first started by looking to support Manzil Welfare Society in Delhi. Manzil had sufficient funds though and we did not go through with that project.

In 2008 we started with our first project SVYM-VTTRC and had also promoted the project in WAH 2008.

In 2009, we supported SVYM-VTTRC, MSEMVS and Ashraya. We promoted MSEMVS project in WAH 2009.

In 2010 we approved the proposal to fund Aadarana Girls Orphanage. 2011 Academic year will be the first year Aadarana will be receiving our funds.

Kamlahan-Khadarawan School -MSEMVS (Manav Sansadhan Evam Mahila Vikas Sansthan)

Over the past 4 years, with support from ASHA for education, MSEMVS has shown how creation of community-based schools, removing children from forced labor, can be the catalyst for whole communities to emerge out of bonded labor, a form of slavery. In Bhadohi, Varanasi and Chandaully Districts of U.P., MSEMVS now runs 11 schools in communities selected for a comprehensive intervention against bonded labor. In 49 villages, including these 11, Community Vigilance Committees are linked together and are developing as a strong social movement for human rights in this area at the heart of north India’s carpet-producing belt.

Asha SD supported MSEMVS run Kamlahan-Khadarawan School in 2009.

Educational Program

Each MSEMVS school enrolls at least 50 children, usually aged 6 – 14. At Kamlahan-Khadarawan, the older children have now passed their exams and been enrolled at the village school 4 Km away, so the two classrooms at Kamlahan are being used for younger children, while the village primary school (about 200 yards away) is being constructed and teachers appointed by local government.

The mainstream curriculum covers Hindi Language, Math, Science and Environment, to ensure that the children are successful in the state examinations and are able to enter government-run schools.
Lessons are taught not only traditionally, but also through the use of games and activities. The teachers ensure the active participation of children and make learning fun and interesting.
In addition, teachers emphasize the following areas:
- Awareness generating and advocacy on the local level – how to influence the Panchayat Raj Institutions (village government.
- Community organization and self-help groups.
- Emotional and mental health care of the children – education must take into account prior traumatic experiences.
- Legal rights, illegality of slavery, bonded labor and child labor in India’s laws.
- Hygiene and cleanness.
- Moral science.
- Physical training, meditation, cultural activities.
- Social education classes

During the second and third years, vocational training is provided to older children.
Children’s self-organization is critical to the management of the school. Three committees are run by the children: Hygiene/cleanliness; Discipline/attendance; and Recreation. The discipline committee is responsible for helping to resolve behavior problems as well as conflict between children. The cleanliness committee helps parents and children to get the children to school in healthy and clean condition. The recreation committee organizes play times and sports activities at the school. Some of the children take responsibility if a child has poor attendance and will go to speak with the parents to encourage their support for the child.

SVYM - VTTRC

One of the key challenges that are facing tribal students today is lack of committed and trained teachers willing to work in tribal areas. SVYM intends to overcome this gap by training tribal students and enabling them to get a formal qualification in teaching. This will not only help improve the quality of learning outcomes amongst the tribal children, but also provide much needed employment opportunity to the upcoming generation of tribals.

Aadarana Girls Orphanage

Aadarana as an NGO was started by Mr. Madhava Rao in 2003. Boy’s orphanage home was established first. Aadarana girl’s orphanage home was established in 2007. A total of 26 kids between the age 5 and 15 live in a 2 bed room rented flat on the 5th floor of an apartment in Saroor Nagar, Hyderabad. Aadarana is established with a motto to help the orphans by providing them accommodation, education, knowledge under one roof above and beyond the love and affection of the parents, which they lost. Aadarana is dedicated to provide various facilities and impart training to fulfill the aims and objectives to make the orphan children to stand upon their feet and to see them as Nation’s most respectable citizens.

Some of the core points of interest from our most recent site visit are:

All the kids are very enthusiastic, active and in good health. I understand most of them are good at academics (we will get their progress cards as well)
All the kids are going to private English medium schools (3 different schools) - details available here (Google document)
Elder kids take turns and cook food for everyone
Cleaning the dishes and house is done by the kids itself
Most of the kids sleep in the living room/large hall
One washing machine is available for cloths

Most Recent Detailed Site Visit report available here (Google Document)

Ashraya

Ashraya focuses in developing mentally and physically challenged girl children over the years with an ultimate vision that they would be capable enough to work as teachers in rehabilitation centers for the future generation of challenged children in their villages. Asha San Diego supports Ashraya along with Asha New Jersey.