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.
• 

  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.

Nazraana 2025 was yet another spectacular and successful fundraiser organized by Asha Seattle. This vibrant event united music lovers, philanthropists, and the Seattle community for an unforgettable evening of soulful performances and generosity.

One of the evening’s highlights was the incredible performance by AllgoRhythms, whose dynamic and heartfelt renditions captivated the audience. Their music set the perfect tone for the event, leaving attendees deeply moved and thoroughly entertained. The energy in the room was palpable as guests immersed themselves in the melodious tunes while rallying behind a noble cause.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our patrons, donors, and sponsors for their unwavering support in furthering Asha’s mission to provide education and resources to underprivileged children.

A special thank you to our sponsors—Nayamode, Third Culture Coffee, Krish Rajagopal of Coldwell Banker Bain, and Apna Bazaar—as well as our individual contributors for their generous donations.

We also deeply appreciate our volunteer photographers, Allure Photo and Snaps by Shelley, for beautifully capturing the memorable moments of the evening.

This event would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our volunteers, who are truly the backbone of Asha for Education. Their passion and commitment ensured a seamless and enjoyable experience for all, making the evening not only successful but also profoundly impactful.

Nazraana was more than just a musical evening—it was a testament to the power of community, compassion, and art coming together for a meaningful cause. We are sincerely grateful to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to making this event a resounding success!

The 2025 biking season is well underway, and the excitement is in full swing!  The Asha Biking Team kicked things off with a virtual information session on January 29, 2025, drawing an enthusiastic crowd from the community. It was truly inspiring to hear heartfelt testimonials from returning riders, who shared their transformative experiences training with the team in previous years.

As always, our pinnacle event is the legendary Seattle to Portland (STP) ride, hosted by the Cascade Bicycle Club. Spanning 206 miles with a 5,100 ft elevation gain, this iconic event is the highlight of the Pacific Northwest biking calendar. We’re gearing up for this incredible challenge on July 12 & 13, 2025! Whether riders choose to conquer the course in one day or opt for a more relaxed two-day approach, our comprehensive training program is designed to support both goals.

Our dedicated team of seasoned volunteers has meticulously crafted a training plan that extends beyond just cycling. We provide expert guidance on everything from selecting the right bike and accessories to nutrition strategies and bike maintenance. Additionally, our fitness-focused sessions ensure that riders stay strong both on and off the bike.

The season officially kicked off with our first ride on March 1st, and the momentum continues to grow! The 2025 teami is off to a fantastic start, eagerly exploring both new and familiar routes. We can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store

Junior Asha plays a crucial role in fostering a spirit of volunteerism among youth aged 12–18, providing them with meaningful opportunities to give back to the community. The program consistently engages a dedicated roster of 40 volunteers, offering mentorship, leadership development, and hands-on community service experiences. As the current lead mentor for Junior Asha, Bhavna works closely with partner organizations to identify and create impactful volunteer opportunities that align with the interests and abilities of the youth volunteers.

Her commitment to Asha extends beyond coordinating events—she is deeply invested in inspiring and empowering the next generation to recognize the value of giving back. Through her leadership, she ensures that young volunteers not only contribute their time and effort, but also develop a lifelong connection to community service. Reflecting on her journey, Bhavna shares, “Inspiring and empowering the next generation to give back is what drives me to volunteer with Asha year after year

Junior Asha’s journey began as a humble venture in 2009 and has now blossomed into a steadfast movement with a roster of over 50 committed volunteers aged 12-18. This year, we reaffirmed our commitment to Asha for Education’s mission by adopting Adruta Children’s Home as our primary beneficiary. We are proud to announce that 100% of the funds raised through our efforts are directly allocated to support Adruta, making a tangible impact on the lives of children in need.

In addition to supporting Adruta, Junior Asha has actively engaged with local organizations, volunteering with esteemed partners like Food Lifeline, KidVantage, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Joy of Reading. These experiences have not only strengthened our community ties but also left a lasting impression on our volunteers.

Vanesha, a graduating senior, reflected on her time with Junior Asha: “My favorite volunteering opportunity was probably Food Lifeline. It taught me the importance of teamwork and collaboration, and how just a few people can make a large impact on the community.”

Isha, a high schooler, shared her thoughts on holiday card writing: “It might not be the biggest, most important opportunity, but it’s very significant to the structure of Junior Asha itself. It made me realize how much support Junior Asha gets and how many donors we have.”

Shruthika, another high schooler, expressed her gratitude: “Volunteering at Food Lifeline has reinforced my appreciation for every last scrap of food. I feel really lucky to have the chance to support families facing challenging times.”

Anya, a junior, added: “Whether it’s the video that shows us exactly what our work supports or the thousands of pounds of food we pack as a group, I feel like I am making a difference.”

Beyond local projects, Junior Asha volunteers actively participate in Asha for Education Seattle’s fundraising events like Nazraana, Holiday donor card writing, Geetanjali, and Run2Educate. These events provide invaluable opportunities for our youth to contribute to causes that resonate with them.

Looking ahead, Junior Asha remains committed to empowering the next generation to create positive change. As Saanvi, one of our volunteers, beautifully put it: “No act of kindness is too small, and the impact of volunteering is immeasurable.”

This year, our volunteers raised a total of $7,700, demonstrating that with each volunteer opportunity, we’re making a significant difference, both for the youth involved and the children at Adruta Children’s Home. More power to our Junior Asha partners!

Nisha’s deeper involvement with Asha began as she trained with Team Asha runners in St. Louis, where she was inspired by stories from fellow volunteers. One story that particularly moved her was about SEED, a project in Tamil Nadu that provided education and shelter for children of prisoners. A disabled child, whose parents were serving life sentences, was educated through this program, passed his 12th exams, and got into college, paving the road for his success.

Motivated by these impactful stories, Nisha took on a more active role within Asha. She initially stepped up as the website administrator for Asha St. Louis and eventually led the chapter until 2021, bringing together the energy needed to coordinate volunteer efforts.

In 2021, Nisha moved to Seattle and continued her commitment to Asha, now serving on the PR and new volunteer orientation team, where she helps onboard new volunteers. Reflecting on her experiences, Nisha emphasizes the value of Asha’s work: “Knowing Asha from both outside and from within, I have always been able to see the sincerity, the transparency, and the impact of the work. The efforts are high quality, the response is thoughtful, and the money creates positive changes both at the individual and community levels.”

If Nisha’s story has you inspired, reach out today to your Asha for Education chapter and start your volunteering journey!

Water has always been the prime concern in the arid region of Thar, where access is not equally distributed, and many families struggle just to fetch it. Siriya, a resident of Ramanagar village in Jodhpur, knows this struggle all too well. Married at 15, she soon had three daughters and a life full of challenges. Her husband, a wage earner and miner, passed away from tuberculosis, leaving her to care for their daughters alone.

Without a nearby water source, Siriya’s daughters spent most of their time fetching water from a distant naadi, leading to irregular school attendance. Siriya dreamed of a water facility near her home, but with a meager income, building a rainwater harvesting tank seemed impossible.

That dream became a reality when she learned about a GRAVIS project constructing rainwater harvesting tanks. She applied, and the Village Development Committee (VDC) selected her family, with one condition: her daughters must attend school. The construction of the taanka near her home was a turning point. The tank now provides water security for 6-8 months, freeing Siriya to work on farms and care for livestock. Most importantly, her daughters are now attending school regularly, marking the beginning of a new life for the family.

This project by GRAVIS has not only provided water but has also given Siriya and her daughters the opportunity to build a better future.

The 2024 Geetanjali event marked its 18th consecutive year of collaboration with Asha for Education. This long-standing partnership has been a cornerstone of our fundraising efforts, and this year’s results were truly exceptional. The $90,000 raised will be channeled directly into educational initiatives and community development projects across India, touching countless lives in underprivileged areas.
The concert itself was a blend of soulful renditions of classic and contemporary Indian melodies, performed by Geetanjali’s 35-member strings section and 12-member brass ensemble. But beyond the music, the real triumph was the overwhelming support from our community. This event wasn’t just a night of entertainment; it was a collective effort to drive meaningful change.

Geetanjali’s commitment to Asha’s cause exemplifies the power of collaboration, showing that together, we can achieve significant impact. As we celebrate the success of this year’s event, we are reminded of the difference we can make when we unite for a common goal. We are excited to continue this impactful partnership and look forward to even greater achievements in the future.

When Shivani’s parents moved to Pune this February in search of work she was at risk of missing out on education. Children of migrant construction workers are at serious risk of dropping out of school when their parents relocate in search of work.

Door Step School is a non-profit organization focused on literacy, primary education, and childcare for the urban poor. It was founded in Mumbai in 1989 and started work in Pune in 1993. Project Foundation is its direct education program at construction sites in Pune, delivering daycare and education to children of construction workers. Asha for Education, Seattle chapter has been supporting this project since 2005.

Door Step School staff assess, teach, and continuously track their students, both in terms of academic progress, and their location with their families as they move about in search of livelihood. Shivani was one such girl who was helped by Door Step.

Shivani is an 11 year-old girl from a remote village in Maharashtra, about 550 km northeast of Pune. In February, her family migrated to Pune as local farming work dried out in the village. In Pune, her parents found work at a construction site in the Kharadi locality. Shivani and her siblings, who all attended school earlier in the village, were able to continue their education at the construction site, in the Educational Activity Center (EAC) run by Door Step School.

When she entered the EAC in February, Shivani could read mātrā-s (vowel signs) but was not able to read compound words correctly. Within three months at Door Step School, she could fluently read paragraphs with compound words. She could also read and write small paragraphs on given topics. as she confidently demonstrated during a visit by an Asha volunteer in April. She wrote a beautiful short essay about her school on the spot in 5 minutes.

Different teaching methods — including project methods, story reading, “joḍākṣhar sarāv pustikā” (compound letter practice booklet) — were used to enhance Shivani’s reading skills with comprehension in Door Step School.

In June, her family migrated back to their home village when farming labor work resumed there at the start of the rainy season. Door Step School has confirmed that she is continuing school in the village in class 7.

Shivani’s story is indicative of the detailed and painstaking work by Door Step School staff to assess, teach, and continuously track their students, both in terms of academic progress, and their location with their families as they move about in search of livelihood. The students, the teachers, and the staff at Door Step School inspire us with their unique approach, creative techniques, and hard work to meet the unique educational needs of the families of migrant construction workers.

Shivani is able to read and write today because of the kindness of donors like you. Help us reach more such kids by donating on our facebook fundraiser page or on our website.