Anjana-Mohan | Asha Seattle

Anjana-Mohan

Why do I run for Asha ?

I was born with luck and received more by way of education and privileges through my life. Many are born without these. I feel the need to give back. None of us can say that we arrived at where we are on our own. The fabric of society and our own luck has helped us and we can (and perhaps should) return the favor to the world.

We can talk Governments and Systems and Macroeconomics and Population and Politics. If they turn out to be anything more than armchair conversations, they are still slow and tedious changes at best. Asha is a force that already exists, already doing grass roots work. You and I can both plug in and make a tangible difference with an immediate action now.

I’ve tried running WITHOUT a cause. It’s more empty. It’s not as satisfying. I am not as accountable. As I’m sure you’ve tried NOT contributing. When you don’t, there’s no impact, no change that you contribute to, no connection you make. It enriches our lives to take the action that creates change.

A little action from us can get a child out of a cycle of wasted potential and into a zone of sustainable progress. This makes a better world for us all. Both running and working for Asha give me daily practice in taking these small actions, the 1% every day.

Why you , what’s your role ?

You’re here because you believe in me. Thank you. I see this as a way to connect you to a credible cause, a responsible steward of money, doing impactful work in a mature way.

A single dollar goes a long way. Your contribution of the value of even one meal out, means the priceless commodity of “Asha” (meaning hope) for a child, creating life-long changes for their entire network. “Be the change you want to see in the world”, Gandhi told us. Donating to Asha in support of my run is a direct way to do exactly that.

Does your contribution matter ?

Yes. The span of recorded history shows that tangible good-will matters; more apparent still is that societal indifference retards our collective evolution. Your contribution is also an immediate inspiration to me. Your contribution means that I am accountable to you. And that I am accountable to the children.

Each step I take during my training and my event will have a purpose, knowing that I am connecting to you, that I am improving myself, and that we are improving the world together in this small way.

Why Asha?

Asha achieves tremendous change with an all volunteer (no one gets paid), non-hierarchical, near-zero overhead, non-sectarian and secular group. In the last 7 years in India, I connected with many other organizations and initiatives. I found many that were parochial (culture or community or language or religion based), or large and bureaucratic with overheads. I returned to Asha. Asha has been built and sustains itself extraordinarily cleanly, with volunteers passionate about the cause, financially and logistically transparent and with a clear purpose and action.

For 7 years straight, Charity Navigator has rated Asha with a perfect score, 4 on 4 on the scales of accountability, transparency, leadership & culture. I’ve experienced it in 25+ years (started volunteering with Asha in 1999) I’ve seen it from the inside. You can give with complete confidence.

Where do the funds go? What is my target ?

I would like to raise at least $1300 ($100/ mile) for Vikasana in Shimoga district Karnataka. Vikasana brings school and literacy to children of migrant daily-wager laborers who don’t stay in a place long enough to give their children stability. The kids begin to work early (child labor) alongside their parents to make ends meet. Vikasana helps them break out of their cycle of poverty and helps them find meaning and aspiration.

Every dollar donated will go to the project, Asha is a near-zero overhead organization (3% overhead to cover the credit card fee). No amount is too small.

Experiences working for Asha

My visits to Asha supported schools in India have been eye opening life events. These are not just determined children with large eyes all fixed on you with hope.
– These are children learning about their fundamental rights.
– Child leaders standing up to their neighbor’s parents against child marriage.
– Children learning the confidence to work with the police
– Teachers and schools are offering them lessons on community
– Learning more than simply what makes them employable.
– They learn about cooperation, empathy and sustainability.And they do all this despite

– Reluctant parents at home (for those who have parents).

– Or hungry siblings who make them wonder if they need to work instead of studying.

– Or alcoholic fathers.

– Or mothers in prison.

– Despite being told their life purpose is to sexually serve a man.

– Or rejected by society because their parents were lepers.

These children fight to come to school. They believe in the power of their own education, against so many odds.

We can afford to share some of our time and luck.

With just a little effort through Asha, we can empower them, their communities, their teachers, and everyone who believes that their reality can change. They should have hope, they deserve “Asha“.