Ashraya Initiative for Children works with residents of 6 urban slum communities, who belong to De-notified tribal (DNT), Notified Tribal, Mahar, Matang, Pardi and other marginalised communities in India. With the prejudices they face and a lack of government aid, most of these communities live in abject poverty, due to their traditional livelihoods of selling old clothes, iron utensils, sweeping and manual scavenging with extended families of ten or more to live on a collective household income of less than Rs 150 per day. Illegally tapped electricity connections, outdoor communal taps that provide water for only a few hours each day, and overcrowded, unsafe public toilet blocks are a given. Ashraya views the women and children as the key to the future of these perpetually impoverished communities and invests its resources accordingly to ensure that the next generation has all the tools it needs to transform and empower these communities.
Area of Intervention- Ashraya’s core programs focus on empowering women and children through holistic measures and creating first-generation learners to create a sustainable future.
1. Education Outreach- Pre-primary school, Primary and Secondary after school support, College education, Hamari Shala whole school support, Extra-curricular support
2. Health Outreach- Daily nutritious meals, Counselling support, Health and medical support, Mother baby program, COVID support
3. Community Sustainability- Adult literacy, Employability, Access to government schemes, Access to government officials, Legal advocacy, Gender empowerment

Appeal

The Hamari Shala education program at Ashraya embraces a holistic, experiential learning approach, focusing on the overall development of children. The "Turning Pages" initiative promotes a love for reading, enhancing empathy, creativity, and communication skills through engaging storytelling sessions. With over 75% attendance and a significant increase in session numbers, children are actively participating and growing in confidence.

To address community challenges, Ashraya launched "Aarambh," an accelerator for change aimed at adolescents aged 11-18. This program tackles issues like gender disparity and substance abuse through awareness sessions, health camps, and parent orientations, fostering critical discussions around consent and empowerment.

Additionally, Ashraya offers football and basketball classes in collaboration with the Don Bosco Youth Center, promoting physical fitness and sportsmanship. Group counseling sessions address common student concerns, while extensive teacher training ensures educators are well-equipped to nurture and inspire students effectively. This comprehensive approach empowers the next generation to become informed change-makers in their communities.

Whole School Support for 22 students- Covers all expenses including school tuition, after-school support fees, educational supplies, learning aids, nutrition and health costs at Ashraya

Name of the NGO as appears in Bank

Ashraya Foundation for Children
Account No. 50200002926074
Bank Name- HDFC
City- Pune
Branch- Aundh
Branch Code- 000052
IFSC/SWIFT Code- HDFC0000052
Account Type (SA/CA/CC)- CA