Shabrunisha: Inspiring many in her slum
Shabrunisha is a living example of one who has suffered the consequences of living amidst a patriarchal kinship. But what is laudable here is that despite all the miseries in life, Shabrunisha came out confident and willing to make a better life for herself and her children.
Shabrunisha was married off at a very tender age. In no time, she became a mother to five daughters and one son. When she was carrying her sixth child in her womb, Asha Community Health Volunteer (CHV) started visiting her to perform check-ups on a regular basis and counselled her to register herself for delivery at the nearest government hospital. For the first time, Shabrunisha had a safe delivery in a hospital with proper maternal care and early childcare.
She joined the Mahila Mandal (Women’s Association) and started absorbing the Asha values. Sticking to Asha helped her grow as a confident and strong woman. She also started a makeshift Snacks shop to become independent. “I give all the freedom to my daughters to learn and do all that I could not. “One of my daughter-Shahzadi is pursuing her master’s degree with the help of Asha, while Roshni and Shaheen are studying in school and regularly visit Asha” said Shabrunisha.
Shabrunisha was married off at a very tender age. In no time, she became a mother to five daughters and one son. When she was carrying her sixth child in her womb, Asha Community Health Volunteer (CHV) started visiting her to perform check-ups on a regular basis and counselled her to register herself for delivery at the nearest government hospital. For the first time, Shabrunisha had a safe delivery in a hospital with proper maternal care and early childcare.
She joined the Mahila Mandal (Women’s Association) and started absorbing the Asha values. Sticking to Asha helped her grow as a confident and strong woman. She also started a makeshift Snacks shop to become independent. “I give all the freedom to my daughters to learn and do all that I could not. “One of my daughter-Shahzadi is pursuing her master’s degree with the help of Asha, while Roshni and Shaheen are studying in school and regularly visit Asha” said Shabrunisha.
Sunaina: Conquering all odds!
Sunaina grew up seeing her father scorching himself under a fiery sun while toiling in a rented farm.
She lives in a tiny makeshift shanty alongside the riverbed near Asha's Chanderpuri slum colony. The family, already on breadline, of eight, has been struggling with a monthly meagre income of Rs 7000 ($101.65 /£80.75) to make the ends meet.
She lives in a tiny makeshift shanty alongside the riverbed near Asha's Chanderpuri slum colony. The family, already on breadline, of eight, has been struggling with a monthly meagre income of Rs 7000 ($101.65 /£80.75) to make the ends meet.
Sunaina has become one regular and active member of Asha since last two years. She received notes, guides, sample papers, tuitions and a comfortable place to study with the help from Asha Ambassadors and Graduates for these two years. With the tremendous help and support from her family and Asha Team, she scored 86% in her school leaving exam and secured a seat in B.A Programme in Zakir Husain College of the Delhi University. A pure-hearted and laborious Sunaina gives all the credit of her success to her parents and Asha Team. Despite all her adversaries, Sunaina's efforts paid off! Inspired by other Asha Alumni, Sunaina believes that she will also make her career bright and become an English Teacher soon.
Asha High School Topper Mehjabeen on her new journey
The family of Mehjabeen, daughter of a daily wage mason Mohammad Raees migrated to Janta Camp from Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur some two decades ago. Mehjabeen along with her parents, one brother and sister, and a grandfather live altogether in a shanty no bigger than the size of a car. With a meagre and non-fixed income, that usually ranges between Rs 7000 to 8000 (£76.47-£87.40/ $99.50- $13.71) per month, their monthly household expenses are barely managed. The Asha Ambassadors, while on a visit in search of bright students in and around the community, found a sincere Mehjabeen.
In 12th class, Mehjabeen was provided with much-needed scholastic materials and a space comfortable for studying in peace. This year, Mehjabeen scored 96% in her 12th examination securing the highest in the subject of Home Science- 98. With her dedication she got admission to B.A Programme in Zakir Hussain College under the University of Delhi.
A story of dedication and hard work
17-year-old Nageena dwells in Asha’s Seelampur slum community for years. The family of six includes Nageena, her parents and three siblings. The hunt to earn a dignified livelihood brought the family to this ghetto in the Eastern part of Delhi from a village in Uttar Pradesh some 20 years back. Since then, the family is settled in an unventilated house.
Nageena had joined Asha in class seventh when one of the Asha Ambassadors spotted an intelligent but naive Nageena studying in a nearby government school. She has been coming to the centre and taking help from question banks and other educational materials, free tuitions by the Asha Graduates and guidance by the supervisors and team leaders since then.
Nageena dreams of becoming an Air Hostess. This year, she has scored 80.25% in her school leaving exam and is all excited to become the first ever child of her house to go pursue University Education.
Nageena had joined Asha in class seventh when one of the Asha Ambassadors spotted an intelligent but naive Nageena studying in a nearby government school. She has been coming to the centre and taking help from question banks and other educational materials, free tuitions by the Asha Graduates and guidance by the supervisors and team leaders since then.
Nageena dreams of becoming an Air Hostess. This year, she has scored 80.25% in her school leaving exam and is all excited to become the first ever child of her house to go pursue University Education.
Journey of Harshit with Asha
Harshit and Harsh are twins, sons of a family living in Chanderpuri slum colony. Their father came to the city out of desperation for earning livelihood when the children were about 4 years of age. The family found a small piece of land in the east of Delhi next to railway line. They built a small makeshift hut with whatever material they could lay hand on. His father had to struggle to find a menial job, but he ensured that Harsh and Harshit enrol in a government-run school.
The turning point in Harshit ‘s life came when he walked into the Asha Centre when he was just 15. He could not believe his eyes when he realized there was a quiet place for him to study. Through his hard work and his journey with Asha, he was able to find a place in one of the toughest and most competitive programs at Delhi University, a Bachelors in Electronic Engineering. He did his internship at SMEC and Macquarie Global Services during his graduation. Harshit is about to graduate in July 2019 and has been placed at a renowned Indian company called Wipro through campus interviews. Harshit would like to do his Masters in Electronic Engineering in near future.
Harshit is a wonderful Asha Ambassador, having transformed the lives of many students in and around Chanderpuri. He is a mentor to one of the Asha students, Suman.
The turning point in Harshit ‘s life came when he walked into the Asha Centre when he was just 15. He could not believe his eyes when he realized there was a quiet place for him to study. Through his hard work and his journey with Asha, he was able to find a place in one of the toughest and most competitive programs at Delhi University, a Bachelors in Electronic Engineering. He did his internship at SMEC and Macquarie Global Services during his graduation. Harshit is about to graduate in July 2019 and has been placed at a renowned Indian company called Wipro through campus interviews. Harshit would like to do his Masters in Electronic Engineering in near future.
Harshit is a wonderful Asha Ambassador, having transformed the lives of many students in and around Chanderpuri. He is a mentor to one of the Asha students, Suman.
TUSHAR- A STORY OF HOPE
Twenty- year-old Tushar lives with his family of four in Mayapuri slum community. His slum is sandwiched between Asia’s largest scrap market and the busiest railway lines. His father is the only breadwinner of the family and he has always seen financial problem at his home.
With his excellent merit in school leaving exams, he was supported by Asha to secure and study in the renowned Shivaji College of Delhi University and is pursuing graduation in History Honours and presently he has completed his second year of his graduation.
Seeing his hard work, he was provided internship at British High Commission and Macquarie. After he completes his bachelor’s degree, he plans to pursue master’s in history of Art as he dreams of becoming a Historian or a Museologist someday. Tushar is an excellent Asha Ambassador takes special classes for the juniors, free of cost.
Watch his journey in his own words:
With his excellent merit in school leaving exams, he was supported by Asha to secure and study in the renowned Shivaji College of Delhi University and is pursuing graduation in History Honours and presently he has completed his second year of his graduation.
Seeing his hard work, he was provided internship at British High Commission and Macquarie. After he completes his bachelor’s degree, he plans to pursue master’s in history of Art as he dreams of becoming a Historian or a Museologist someday. Tushar is an excellent Asha Ambassador takes special classes for the juniors, free of cost.
Watch his journey in his own words:
A YOUNG LEADER IN THE MAKING
Twenty-four- year-old Mahinder lived in Ekta Vihar, R.K. Puram, a slum situated in the heart of Delhi. He called a single room his home, which he shared with five family members. His life was riddled with one struggle after another—from acquiring basic amenities to finding the time and resources for education.
Read More
Seeing Mahinder’s potential from his high grades at secondary school, Asha’s Founder and Director Dr. Kiran Martin helped him transition from a government school to a private school for a higher quality education. Asha helped him with everything from purchasing books to practicing his communication skills. Asha also enabled him to get an education loan, which eased his impoverished parents’ financial burden and helped Mahinder to pursue a B. Tech course in Information Technology from one of India’s premier educational institutions.
Fueled by unrelenting determination, Mahinder went on to become the first child from the slums to receive a full scholarship from one of the top establishments in Australia—The University of Melbourne—where he’s pursuing post graduate studies in Computer Science. After he completes his degree, he plans to secure a job in the corporate sector while continuing to advocate for health and the empowerment of women through his association with Asha. Watch his journey here:
Fueled by unrelenting determination, Mahinder went on to become the first child from the slums to receive a full scholarship from one of the top establishments in Australia—The University of Melbourne—where he’s pursuing post graduate studies in Computer Science. After he completes his degree, he plans to secure a job in the corporate sector while continuing to advocate for health and the empowerment of women through his association with Asha. Watch his journey here:
|
|
|
A ROLE MODEL IS BORn
When Asha started working in the slum community at Zakhira over a decade ago, a young illiterate Muslim woman named Shazda joined the Mahila Mandal (Women’s Association) despite her family’s orthodox beliefs. Her husband didn’t even know of her involvement.
Read More
Her enthusiasm and dedication towards Asha’s work inspired the team to train her as a Community Health Volunteer (CHV). A keen and diligent learner, Shazda became an integral part of the healthcare program and eventually took over the CHV responsibilities—from conducting family planning workshops to providing door-to- door medical assistance to tracking community member health records.
Shazda worked tirelessly to help others and to acquire new skills, which led her to a promising job at a government-run hospital. Now she contributes to her family’s income and ensures that her children attend school every day. Her hope is that one day they would each aspire to make an impact through work, just like her.
Shazda worked tirelessly to help others and to acquire new skills, which led her to a promising job at a government-run hospital. Now she contributes to her family’s income and ensures that her children attend school every day. Her hope is that one day they would each aspire to make an impact through work, just like her.
FROM EXCLUSION TO EMPOWERMENT
When Farzana moved to Delhi with her husband over two decades ago, she was completely unprepared for the challenges ahead. The couple settled in Chanderpuri slum, where Farzana’s husband found work selling decorative fruit baskets. But with six children, her husbands’ income wasn’t enough to support the family. Searching for help, Farzana learned about Asha in 2000 and joined the Women’s Association even though her husband didn’t support her in stepping out of the house.
Read More
Her situation only got worse when her husband passed away in 2015, leaving her in mourning and with only about 2,500 rupees to survive on, which is roughly $38. “I became socially excluded, but Asha gave me hope. Now, I work as a small-scale tailor while my elder son works where his father did,” commented Farzana.
Today Farzana champions women’s rights in her community and works fervently to educate the slum residents. A proud mother whose children are studying at The University of Delhi, Farzana states, “I am content that my children won’t have the life that I had.”
Today Farzana champions women’s rights in her community and works fervently to educate the slum residents. A proud mother whose children are studying at The University of Delhi, Farzana states, “I am content that my children won’t have the life that I had.”
BUILDING A BUSINESS, REBUILDING HOPE
The mother of five children, Bhuli is a widow living in Tigri slum. After her husband passed away, she started work as a domestic help in various homes. Despite working long hours, she couldn’t sustain the family and even thought of withdrawing her children from school at one point.
Read More
However, after meeting the Asha team she was encouraged to take a loan to start a costume jewelry business. Asha facilitated her loan of 20,000 rupees and secured space in a shop for her to work in. During the day, she would go from door to door in nearby areas to sell her imitation jewelry.
She has now built up a great rapport with her customers, her business is thriving and her monthly repayment of 680 rupees is always on time. She also invests a portion of her savings back into her business. Today she is thrilled that she can send her children to school and wants them to advance to college.
She has now built up a great rapport with her customers, her business is thriving and her monthly repayment of 680 rupees is always on time. She also invests a portion of her savings back into her business. Today she is thrilled that she can send her children to school and wants them to advance to college.