It began 50 years ago, waiting for that day, when the Nepal Junior Red Cross gives out a “Small box of gift” from the USA. Every year in April, I used to wait for that day, to receive a small box of gift containing two pencils, erasers and few candies. That was, what I most wanted in the world.
“A Special Gift Box from America”
Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan, Founding chair
Now a day, when I visit Nepal, I reach into my backpack, and hand students with a pen, a pencil or a notebook, and see a wave of possibility washed over the student.
Seeing a smile and brightened wide open eye is my sense of happiness. We see the profound power and promise brought through something as small as giving a pencil, a pen or a notebook. That is our ASHA project- A Promise of Hope and providing opportunities for less fortunate people.
ASHA means HOPE in Nepali language. It is amazing how a short, four letter word can represent so much. Asha means hope, and that is our purpose. To provide hope in all aspects of life by supporting initiatives that is run by the people of Nepal for the people of Nepal.
Guided by our Three pillars,
RAYS OF HOPE, LEGACY OF HOPE and HOMES OF HOPE,
We have been supporting projects that inspire a promise of hope for the people of Nepal.
During our recent visit to the श्री भिमशेन आदर्श माध्यामिक Shree Bhimshen Adarsa Madhamic School in Barumchuli: We met many smart, focused, and friendly students. Being poor in Nepal, their families are not not able to provide them with many luxuries, they are determined to get better education and become someone. With support from the ASHA PROJECT and partnership between the #ROTARY Foundation and ONE STEP FOR CHANGE,
THEIR next goal is simple: become the greatest teacher, social workers,police etc in Nepal.
Rotaract students from RAC Manohara, Babarmahal and Rudramati visited the school and conducted essay contest ” WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP”.
Over the last 28 years, we have visited many village schools in Nepal, handing out thousands of pens and pencils across many districts in Nepal. These pencils, these small pieces of potential, led to powerful conversations with local parents and children across countless languages. These are the guidelines on which ASHA Project was founded in April 2015 after the earthquake in Nepal.
In the process, we have learned a lot. We’ve learned that education is a living, breathing entity that with the right nurturing evolves into something spectacular. We’ve learned that every piece of its growth is a challenge and that each pencil, each dollar, each supporter is essential. The ASHA Project is now a national movement of passionate individuals, many of which are the most dynamic and impactful leaders we have ever seen. They are committed to supporting a world with greater educational opportunity for all. Thousands have joined us, making contributions through acts both large and small.
We fundamentally believe that a day will come in our lifetimes when every single child will have access to a quality education, meaningful employment through micro credit loans and a well managed community. We will continue to work tirelessly in breaking down the restraints of today to enable the possibilities of tomorrow for the children and families in Nepal.
The Asha Project 