Posted: 17/07/2009
In total, there are 135 students entering the University of Delhi, and they have all done incredibly well to get so far. Every slum area has at least 1 college-bound student, and one has as many as 32!
The students' achievements have exceeded all our expectations; it's the first time in India's history that such a large group of students from such disadvantaged backgrounds have entered higher education. On Saturday, 8th August, we are holding a large celebration with Mr P Chidambaram, India's Home Minister, as the Chief Guest, and attended by Asha supporters from around Delhi, those from several other countries, and of course the students themselves.
The students have overcome so many difficulties to get to this stage in their lives, and they do not take it for granted. Each of them realises how special their opportunity is, and how their success will pave the way for better opportunities for their peers, younger siblings, and ultimately a whole new generation of children living in slums.
There are no needs-based scholarships available for university students in India, and we are determined not to let anything hold these young people back now that they have gone so far.
Will you contribute to help put these students on the path to good careers and better lives? Any amount you can give will make a difference.
You may have a particular interest in certain areas of our education programme, or a special affinity with a slum area you may have visited or worked in - if so, please feel free to specify how you would like your donation to be used.
You can donate online by clicking here to go to our donations page, or you can contact us to ask for a donation form.
We'd also be grateful for any messages of support for the students - we'll include them in a display outside the auditorium on the evening of the celebration, and they will be compiled into a book for each student to keep as a memento.
Thank you for your support!
I was suffering from Tuberculosis and my son couldn't cope with looking after me so he moved out. The TB got worse and I relapsed. An Asha community health volunteer noticed my illness, made sure I took my medicine and gave me rations of nutritious food. If Asha was not here I would have died by now.
Arshafilal, Mayapuri
