Indus Conference 95b The World Today If the earth’s population was 100 people, there would be:  52 females and 48 males  6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth - all 6 would be from the US  80 would live in substandard housing  50 would suffer from malnutrition  1 would own a computer  70 would be unable to read  1 (yes, only one) would have a college education

Indus Conference 95b Literacy Rates Worldwide Source: UNICEF 1999

Indus Conference 95b Where Does India Stand? Source: Calculated from census data

Disparity in literacy 62% 30% 11% 7% 9% 3% 0% 50% 100% LiterateBelow Class 5Beyond Class 10 MaleFemale 45%

The Vicious Cycle Lack of Education Lack of Education Dependence Poverty

Can we do something… …to make a DIFFERENCE ? Can we do something… …to make a DIFFERENCE ? HOW?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does” - Margaret Mead Beginning in Berkeley, to Over 400 active volunteers in over 40 chapters At most major universities At most large metros Satellite Chapters paired with mentor chapters Co-founded by Sandeep Pandey, 2002 Magsaysay Award winner

“To catalyze socio-economic change in India through the education of underprivileged children” MISSION STATEMENT

Funds Raised- Over $ 1.5 Million in 10 years Raised Disbursed Over $1 million raised in 2000 Funds Disbursed

Raising Funds and Awareness Individual Donations Asha Merchandise Individual Donations Asha Merchandise

YearFunds collected Projects funded , , , weeks 1404 donors $100,000 pledged 5 projects History

Harbingers of Hope – Runners for Education A Marathon training program – Asha trains runners – Runners raise money for Asha from friends & family Started in Year runners in Raised $ 85, runners in Raised $ 125,000 Previous Marathons: – New York City Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon – Honolulu, Silicon Valley & Royal Victoria (Canada) Asha-MIT/Boston, 2003 – Cape Cod Marathon, Falmouth, MA, October 26 th – Marine Corps Marathon, Washington DC, October 26th

Larisse Dhillon (Honolulu Marathon – 2000) “I am very lucky to be well educated and I want to make a difference by helping to provide the opportunity of education to others. The training program is an excellent way for me to contribute to Asha because in addition to helping education in India, I am also helping myself to become a much healthier person." Silicon Valley Marathon October 28, 2001 (Cisco Way, San Jose) Mile 8 of 26.2 miles !! Runners’ Age : 22 – 62 years old First time Runners : More than 50 %

100% Volunteer-based Minimal Hierarchy Non-political, non-religious Credibility is the focus Guiding Principles

Our Work Asha Projects: Urban/Rural Street Children Sexually exploited children Tribal Population Migrant Laborers Networking amongst groups Asha Stars

Legislative Awareness 83rd Amendment NCERT curriculum FCRA Regulations Transfer of material Books Computers Software Our Work

Especially vulnerable children Children on the Streets : VOICE: classes on Mumbai’s railway platforms Gradual transition to formal schools Savings, leadership skills, alternative livelihood Commercial Sex-Workers –Abuse by customers –Society stigma – no alternative livelihood –TRY, Chennai – a home for children from red light districts Striking at the root –Community run school in Natpurwa, UP –Alternative livelihood – tailoring, bee- keeping

Tutorial Classes / Study Centers Sahanivasa, Chittoor Dt, AP Tuition classes for high school students, help to pass class X Focus on dalit students Tremendous improvement in pass rates since Asha’s involvement SEED, Madurai slums, TN Study center with lights, books Volunteer tutors, youth from slums Spoken English classes Help and support for specific goals: IAS, teachers, engineers, doctors

Viveka Asha Yojane: Improving Govt. Schools A Scalable Model Government of Karnataka, Adopt-a-school program Adopted 72 schools in Chamarajanagar district Teacher training, making SDMC (parent-teacher- community) committees functioning, improve infrastructure Liason with government schemes such as Sarva Siksha Abhiyan Make the Government Do its Job !!!

n-logue: Wireless local loop - with Prof. Jhunjhunwalla, IIT Madras - 70% of India’s billion people live in small towns and villages - telephone penetration level of less than 4% - 3 months to deploy an access tower - Access tower to serve 50 kiosks in 10 villages - Interconnect Asha schools Technology and Development Replicable Scalable Enables wealth creation Brings government-citizen-business access points closer Work with World Computer Exchange (shipping computers)

Community based: the people should lead the change Focus on empowerment: women, disabled, lower rungs of society All-inclusive – no child is left out Non-sectarian, respect and support pluralism Constructive socio-economic development and peaceful means of change Guiding Principles in Projects

Ongoing Asha Stars Projects 34 Projects Covering 10 Zones 13 Chapters

What can you do? Corporate grants in your company Help with your specific expertise Help with contacts (media, govt. officials) Help with signature campaigns Publicity for our events

Less of this … Our Hearts, Their Minds, One Hope MORE of this …

Asha for Education All donations to Asha for Education are tax deductible under IRS code 501 (c ) 3.