Techniques

With Asha's help, groups within the slum communities have been able to see major changes by lobbying the local government for provision of basic needs such as water pumps, latrines, paved lanes and sanitary waste disposal. When the government recognises a slum as a valid settlement, it becomes easier for the people to gain the amenities that they so desperately need.

Improved housing

Asha has helped to convince Delhi government's Slum Wing to run housing development programmes. Slum residents are granted areas of land where they are able to build replacement homes using materials from their old dwelling and new materials bought with the help of a loan from a housing co-operative.

Effective contact with authorities

Asha has provided training and support to community groups so that they can deal with local municipal and public health officials whose support has been a great help in improving slum facilities and conditions recently. Besides educating slum residents on their rights and the responsibilities of local government to invest in improvements, Asha also provides skills training. The skills which have proven to be most useful have dealt with presentations, negotiation, advocacy, and lobbying. The women's groups are highly effective at instigating work on environmental improvements within the slums. This has resulted in access to clean and safe drinking water through installation of taps, handpumps, tanks and tankers. Toilet complexes have been built and there are now reduced amounts of stagnant water, cleaner lanes that are paved with bricks or concrete and proper drainage systems.

Increase in community responsibility

Lane volunteers and other members of women's and children's groups take responsibility for making sure that others within their community are aware of importance of proper hygiene and sanitary living conditions. They ensure that rubbish is not allowed to build up, that drains are kept clear and they encourage people to use the latrine complexes. This community education has led to better use of amenities, fewer conflicts, and commitment of the slum colony as a whole to keep their surroundings clean.