The projects chosen for Work An Hour support are unique as the event itself. From the Irula tribals in Tamil Nadu to handicapped and orphaned children in Maharashtra, these projects have the ability to make a dramatic improvement in the lives of the underprivileged children, given adequate support.

Candidates for WAH are put through a rigorous screening process. A WAH Projects Working Group, and eventually all Asha chapters, put the candidates through several rounds of discussion and debate. Project co-ordinators for each candidate interact directly with the people running the project to get answers for the questions that come up during these discussions. Finally, all Asha chapters rank these candidates so as to determine the order of priority in which to direct WAH funds. This year, we hope to fund the top 5 projects.

From the time Work An Hour 2001 closes down (September 5), the WAH team will be working closely with the project co-ordinators in the U.S. and the organization in India to ensure that the funds are properly transferred. In most cases, the funds are sent in two installments. The second installment is sent after the review of a half-yearly report submitted by the project. A final report will then be submitted in May 2002. Please visit this page for updates on all projects.

APSA

Based in Bangalore, Karnataka, this project involves the establishment of ten centers to help prevent child labor. Each will serve 40-50 children, the objective being to prevent slum children from dropping out of school in order to join the labor force.

Anandwan


Anandwan, run by Vikas Amte - son of Leprosy and Narmada Bachao related activist Baba Amte, is the source of a self-sustained existence for a large community of the disabled and handicapped. A part of this large project is the vocational centre for the disabled/underprivileged students "Yuvagram" that Work An Hour intends to fund.

Rural Development Institute (RDI)

In the Garhwal Himalayas, where education is a scarce commodity, RDI has been working to bring about sustainable development since 1991. To empower adolescents into standing up to the practical realities, the project seeks to initiate self-management programs and conduct technical training camps to equip them with the skills for earning a livelihood.

Irula


Afflicted with nearly 100% illiteracy, the Irulas are a tribal people who have been repeately exploited by landlords and subjected to tremendous economic hardships. Last year, Asha contributed by starting eight motivational centers in different villages, benefitting more than 450 Irula children. This year is an extension of the same, including recurring expenses to sustain these centers.

Vanavasi Ashram


A residential tribal school in Wayanad district, Kerala, that provides education and training to children until the 7th standard. Its short-term objective is to extend to the 10th standard and ensure that the students do not abandon their studies after the 7th. In the long run, upliftment of the tribals around the area by a series of education related projects remains the primary goal.