While we were in New Delhi, I organized a group of the HBS students to visit the Asha slum project. I had heard about it after reading the book "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" by Katharine Boo, an amazing book about life in one of the slums in Mumbai. I was impressed with the way Asha addressed many of the compounding problems of life in the slums that Boo had brought to life (access to healthcare, access to justice, collaboration in the community, education, and many more), so I wanted to learn more.
It was a fascinating visit -- we learned about the community groups they organized among different age groups (from 8-12 year olds to grown women) to activate people to have a political voice in their communities, address problems with police officers and government officials, and pursue higher education. We heard from a 9 year old who is the tuberculosis specialist in her community and visits families to educate them about TB and identify possible TB patients. It was really fascinating and inspiring.
Asha wrote about our visit to their donors and my friends sent me the below.
Sincerely,
The Asha Team
It was a fascinating visit -- we learned about the community groups they organized among different age groups (from 8-12 year olds to grown women) to activate people to have a political voice in their communities, address problems with police officers and government officials, and pursue higher education. We heard from a 9 year old who is the tuberculosis specialist in her community and visits families to educate them about TB and identify possible TB patients. It was really fascinating and inspiring.
Asha wrote about our visit to their donors and my friends sent me the below.
Harvard Business School students visit to Zakhira slum colony
On 11th January 2014, 15 students from Harvard Business School visited Asha to see first-hand the transformational work that Asha has been doing with the slum communities in Delhi. After a brief introduction, the group was shown a documentary film on Asha’s core values and the diverse array of its work in a nutshell.
Students from Harvard Business School interacting with community members
Later, the group was taken to Zakhira slum colony, where they got an opportunity to meet and interact with the staff, Community Health Volunteers, women’s and children’s group members and the students who are now attending college as a result of Asha’s guidance and support. They listened with great interest as the community members narrated their stories of hope and success during their journey with Asha.
Harvard Business School students pose for a group photograph with university students from Asha communities
Over the past many years, numerous students and teachers from the university have visited Asha on many occasions to work in the slums or to be a part of Asha events organised in Delhi. It was a real pleasure for Asha to once again welcome a group of students to visit its community in slums of Delhi. We look forward to more opportunities of welcoming friends and supporters from across the globe.Sincerely,
The Asha Team
