Simon's Riding For a Reason #3
Simon Chegwyn, an old Asha supporter is clearing the decks once again to ride his motorcycle for the noble cause of Asha. Simon is going to start his third 'charity trip', which is going to be his longest one as of yet, soon.
He started his first 'charity trip' from the United Kingdoms to India in the year 2009 and did another a few years back. Please donate to Simon so that he can help transform the lives of Asha slum communities.
To Donate from the USA: http://www.asha-usa.org/donate.html
He started his first 'charity trip' from the United Kingdoms to India in the year 2009 and did another a few years back. Please donate to Simon so that he can help transform the lives of Asha slum communities.
To Donate from the USA: http://www.asha-usa.org/donate.html
Asha Events at East Coast, USA
In a series of wonderful celebrations overseas, the Asha family paved its way straight to the heart of people living in Boston and New York this month.
Steve Watson and his skilful team organized Asha Day at Reservoir on September 15. The one-day-long event was celebrated with full enthusiasm and joy by all the participants including Asha founder Dr Kiran and an Asha student. Usha, an Asha Graduate spoke of her praise-worthy journey with Asha and showed them one of her masterpieces. She is currently working as a video journalist at Desi Martini, Hindustan Times Media Limited, one of the leading media houses in India.
Steve Watson and his skilful team organized Asha Day at Reservoir on September 15. The one-day-long event was celebrated with full enthusiasm and joy by all the participants including Asha founder Dr Kiran and an Asha student. Usha, an Asha Graduate spoke of her praise-worthy journey with Asha and showed them one of her masterpieces. She is currently working as a video journalist at Desi Martini, Hindustan Times Media Limited, one of the leading media houses in India.
Another grand event, Asha Sunday was celebrated at the River in New York on September 16 by Asha’s supporters and friends including John, Sara Furste and team. Associate Director Godfrey Martin shared the milestones of Asha and its incredible journey since 1988. Usha also delivered a delightful speech on her experience with Asha that brought her a huge round of applause. The event concluded with mouth-watering snacks and Asha Photo-Exhibition.
We want to express our gratitude to the entire organizing committee for both the events. It is with your support we are able to help the people living in the slums of Delhi.
Asha Events at Napa Valley
Asha Day was celebrated at Napa Valley by the Friends of Asha in California on September 8 this year. Congressman Mike Thompson and his wife Jan Thompson were the moderators at the event while Rita Bresee, daughter of Mr Kailash Chaudhary, was the chief organizer.
Kiwanis club Napa has been supporting Asha for the past 20 years, and it gave Dr Kiran and Usha great joy to be invited by them once again. Usha shared her story beautifully and Dr Kiran thanked them for their long years of support.
Dr Kiran and Usha were interviewed by the well-known anchor of KVON radio Ira Smith. KVON invites Dr Kiran every year to share the Asha story that a large number of Napans are now familiar with. Usha, who regularly interviews well-known personalities as a part of her job, was excited to be interviewed on radio for the very first time!
Dr Kiran and Usha speaking to high school students of Valley Oak School in Napa. Her story was received with much enthusiasm by the students, who are enrolled here to make up for the credits they need to graduate.
Dr Kiran and Usha were invited to address the students of Chamberlain School, a special school for children with court dates who have this one last chance to study and succeed in getting a high school diploma. They listened to Usha with rapt attention, many of them sharing some of the challenges she has faced, sharing the same fears and anxieties, and harsh living conditions. It was wonderful to see the support and mentoring the school teachers were giving these students.
Dr Kiran and Usha speaking to the Boys and Girls Scouts after school program in Napa.
American Embassy School students visits Asha
On 28th March 2019, the American Embassy School team of 25 students and five teachers visited Asha’s Kusumpur Pahari slum community. As a part of their population studies project, the students were interested in learning about the life of the urban poor, the status of girls and women living in Delhi slums.
Over a two-hour session, they interacted with the members of Bal Mandal (Children’s Association), Mahila Mandal (Women’s Association) and Asha students. They discussed the work they do and the difference it has brought about in their lives. The Children’s Association members talked about their desire to complete school and then go for higher education. Being of similar age groups, the students enjoyed this interaction and were very keen to know more about the life in the slums. AES students were delighted to hear many of the success stories.
Their discussion on social issues like dowry, abortion, mental health, equality, gender bias and sanitation and hygiene in the slums with Asha’s women’s association and Asha students was highly engaging. After the discussion the students went for the community visit, to witness life in a slum first-hand. This being the first encounter with slum life for most of the students, they were amazed at the challenges people face in their day to day life.
GLOBAL ASHA MEET 2019
In a first of its kind unique and interactive meeting was held at Asha’s Mayapuri slum centre where Board Members and other important functionaries from Friends of Asha (FOA) across UK, Northern Ireland, USA and Australia participated.
The session started with introductions, the Global Asha team, students and the women association members took turns to introduce themselves. This was followed by a session of interaction between the bright minds (students) from across Asha’s slum communities and the Asha’s Global think tank.
The session started with introductions, the Global Asha team, students and the women association members took turns to introduce themselves. This was followed by a session of interaction between the bright minds (students) from across Asha’s slum communities and the Asha’s Global think tank.
In the post-lunch session the interaction was held. It was a wonderful brainstorming session with new ideas, creative inputs as well as strategic roadmap to take Asha forward globally. For many of the Board Members, the session was going back to the drawing board and explore new possibilities. Richard Leder (National Coordinator- AFOA) chaired the discussion describing the milestones in the relationship between FOA and Asha India, also explained the activities on resource mobilisation in their respective countries.
Building relationships seemed to be “the key” to the future.
Building relationships seemed to be “the key” to the future.
Richard Leder concluded the meeting suggesting more ways of sharing and increasing visibility. The last lap was the Community visit at Mayapuri with the global guests.
We are grateful to our Global Friends of Asha for all their time, enthusiasm and passion to work for the cause of Asha.
We are grateful to our Global Friends of Asha for all their time, enthusiasm and passion to work for the cause of Asha.