ASHA PROJECT St. Andrews Kirk, Chennai
A Programme for 'Differently-abled' people
The Asha Project began in a small office in the Church Hall, where Mr. Joshua Thangaraj, an elder, himself a victim of polio collected and classified data on where handicapped people could get assistance in skills training, in employment, and access to facilities offered by the government as well as private organisations. Rev. Peter Miller was his main inspiration. The involvement of Drs. M C and Anna Mathew in this project led to the starting of a Play school for children who are developmentally disabled from the neighbourhood particularly from the weaker sections of society. An elegant, well-equipped building built in the church campus and named after the late Sessions clerk Mr. Johnny Samuel, houses the school.
‘Asha’ meaning ‘Hope’ is an expression of concern and support of those associated with St. Andrew’s Church towards those in need, particularly the differently challenged, people with disabilities. Since 1982, ‘Asha’ has been striving, even if it is only in a small way, to enrich the quality of life of the disabled. ‘Asha’ is one among the several outreach ministries of St. Andrew’s Church amongst people in need, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.For people who are differently abled and challenged, Asha is a:
- Centre for motivation and encouragemet
- A provider of information
- A co-ordinator with other agencies providing appropriate services
- A pressure group for creating awareness on the needs and abilities of the disabled
- A support group for the home-bound disabled friends
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' ASHIRVAD KANTHI. NAGPUR'
In the mineteen nineties Ashirvad initiated an Ashirvad Early Learning Centre in Nagpur by supporting Mrs. Pushpa Waghmare in her vision for the development of the children in the slums of Nagpur. This work has now grown several fold and is now called ‘Ashirvad Kanti’ and still work in the slums of Nagpur, India. Currently, the project operates a pre-school program for children living in the slums of Nagpur, provides housing and care to a number of children from distressed backgrounds and offers technical training. Health services are also made available by the project, through a medical van with volunteer doctors who visit slum areas twice per week.
In the future, Ashrivad Kanti has a vision to build a school on purchased land in Nagpur, with accommodation facilities for under privileged children, where they will receive an education.
Ashirvad Kanti have been at work in Nagpur for fifteen years and have made many inroads in helping the children and their families in the slums of Nagpur – providing health care, education and restoring dignity to these people.
In the future, Ashrivad Kanti has a vision to build a school on purchased land in Nagpur, with accommodation facilities for under privileged children, where they will receive an education.
Ashirvad Kanti have been at work in Nagpur for fifteen years and have made many inroads in helping the children and their families in the slums of Nagpur – providing health care, education and restoring dignity to these people.
