This winter, Asha volunteers Anu, Ranjan, and Pradeep navigated Delhi’s chaotic streets to uncover the extraordinary story of Project WHY. Just 15 kilometers from the city’s heart, they found a world where perseverance triumphs over hardship.

The Yamuna Center: Education Against All Odds

On the floodplains of the Yamuna River, families cultivate vegetables, battling relentless floods that wash away their homes and livelihoods. With no schools, running water, or electricity, survival is a daily struggle. Yet, amidst these challenges, Project WHY has built a sanctuary of learning.

Founded in 2005 by Anouradha Bakshi, Project WHY began in a humble cowshed-turned-classroom. Floods repeatedly destroyed it, but each time, teachers and students rebuilt. Their unwavering commitment has provided education to thousands of children who would otherwise be deprived of learning opportunities.

Stories of Resilience

The Asha team met individuals whose stories embody the power of education:

Sangeeta – student of Yamuna Center

• Sangeeta, who first stepped into a classroom at age 9, has now completed 12th grade and aspires to become a fashion designer.
• Utpal, abandoned at 2 after suffering severe burns, received medical care and education through Project WHY. Today, he works in Bollywood film production.
• Sonia, a widow and mother of two, travels four hours daily to teach at Project WHY. The first in her family to receive an education, she is determined to create similar opportunities for others.
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  Sonia, a widow and mother of two, travels four hours daily to teach at Project WHY Yamuna Center

From Adversity to Achievement: The Okhla Center

The next day, the volunteers visited Okhla’s urban slums, where Project WHY confronted even greater obstacles. Here, Sofia, a migrant worker, joined forces with Anouradha to establish a school for local children.

Their makeshift tent school was repeatedly vandalized by criminals exploiting children for drug trafficking. Yet, each morning, they cleaned up and resumed teaching. When Anouradha confronted the local crime lord, she asked, “Why do you want to kill me?” Moved, he responded with tears in his eyes, “If you had been here 20 years ago, my life would have been different.” His words underscored the profound impact of education.

That was 21 years ago. Today, a permanent school stands, providing a safe space for 386 students. Sofia continues to teach alongside Mithoo, a polio survivor who mastered computer skills on his own and now empowers hundreds with digital literacy.

The Power of Your Support

The Asha volunteers witnessed firsthand how education transforms lives. While many connect with causes from a distance, they saw the tangible impact of every donation. Contributions to Asha for Education don’t just provide resources—they inspire hope and affirm that no community fights alone for a brighter future.

Project WHY is proof of what Asha has always believed: no place is too remote, no child is beyond reach when we commit to education for all.