Work an hour for education.
ASHA's 2000 education fund drive sets a $75,000 target
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Editors' note: India Together is happy to support and promote this fund drive, and we sincerely hope that ASHA's target will be passed in style. When you fill out the pledge form, please be sure to indicate that you read about the pledge on India Together.
July, 2000: On August 15th, 2000, people all over the world will participate in a campaign to raise funds for basic education in India. Asha for Education, a US-based nonprofit organization, designed the Work an Hour campaign to afford people everywhere the opportunity to work towards a more educated India. On India's Independence Day, such well-wishers may donate an hour's pay to Asha, to help educate some of the 50 million children who have never seen a school.

The 1999 Work an Hour campaign raised approximately $50,000, which was channeled towards providing crucial infrastructural support to three schools in India. The 2000 Work an Hour event, with a target of $75,000, will support the following projects, and will run until September 4, 2000.

  • Irula project: The Irulas are tribal people living mainly in Thiruvallur district, TN, with near 100% illiteracy. Funds from WAH 2000 will be used to build 8 transitional schools to bring full access to education to the Irulas in three years - something they have never had before.

  • Voluntary Organization In Community Enterprise (VOICE): If the street children of Mumbai can't go to school, VOICE brings the school to them. WAH 2000 funding will be used for a non-formal education center at the Pumphouse in Andheri and a vocational training center.

  • Urmul Marusthali Bunkar Vikas Samiti: The Indira Gandhi Canal brings water and people to the Jaisalmer District. UMBVS brings access to education to the weavers that have been here, and the new wave of farmers who are on their way. WAH 2000 funding is sought to construct 15 schools over 3 years.
Asha for Education is an action group that aims to bring about social and economic change in India through basic education. Started in 1991 by a few students at the University of California at Berkeley, Asha (meaning 'hope' in several Indian languages) has since grown in strength, and today boasts over 30 chapters worldwide and a volunteer base of students as well as professionals. All donations to Asha are tax-deductible, and no administrative expenses are deducted from such contributions.

Donations to Asha may be made over the internet at the Work an Hour website ([click here]), or in the form of a check made out to "Asha for Education" and mailed to Asha for Education - WAH2000 P.O. Box 3340, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008-3340, USA. Asha requests that you include the gift-matching form with your check, if your employer matches donations to tax-deductible groups.

Work an Hour 2000 Team
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