Posted: 25/03/2008
Mr Éamon Ó Cuív T.D., the Irish Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs visited Asha. He was accompanied by Pat Bourne, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Irish Embassy, and they were both joined by a new team sent out by Tearfund from the UK. Dr Kiran Martin started with a brief introduction of activities at Asha and how the organisation works. The group then moved into Ekta Vihar, a slum just alongside the Asha Clinic, to meet the Women's and Children's Groups.
The women spoke of the changes to their lives since Asha's intervention many years ago. Over the years they have been encouraged to stand up for their rights and as recently as last week had a sit-in near a drinking water pump, when it failed and the workers were reluctant to repair the damage. Needless to say the pump was fixed that day! Their on-going determination on these and similar matters continually encourages us all.
Mr Ó Cuív then spoke to the women, first thanking them for sharing and telling them about the reasons for his visit, the primary one being to see how other countries deal with urban poverty. The women were full of questions for him, asking about levels of poverty in Ireland. Mr Ó Cuív told of them of the poverty in Ireland in the not too distant past and that now there is nothing like the poverty he was seeing in India. He was very encouraging; telling them that the hardest step is the first one and that once started progress is easier.
He went on to meet the children's group, telling them how education is the key to development and related the story of his grandfather who walked 7 miles each day to get to school. His grandfather, it transpires, was the first Prime Minister of Ireland! In all we were very encouraged by his visit and were once again pleased to share our work.
Getting involved with Asha was a turning point in my life. I became part of the women's group where I realised that there were other women like me, and we can be listened to and our views consulted. The confidence I gained has given me strength to help so many people.
Noorjahan, CHV and midwife, Seelampur
