Help break the cycle of poverty
Asha Project was created with a vision to empower women in India to help break the cycle of poverty that has a hold on their families and communities.
163 million
Poverty that steals access to clean water from 163 million people.
100,000
Poverty that aborts 100,000 baby girls every year.
135,000
Poverty that sends 135,000 children into human trafficking every year.
9 million
Poverty that enslaves 9 million children in forced labor.
27%
Poverty that marries 27% of girls off before their 18th birthday.
6 million
Poverty that enslaves 6 million adults in forced labor.
Poverty that steals HOPE.
We believe HOPE (Asha) is the first step in breaking the cycle of poverty in India and around the world.
Our Asha Project Commitment
Fair Wages
We believe that all people are valuable and worthy, and we want our women to believe this about themselves, too. They are wives, mothers, daughters, and friends with skills that can grow and expose their own self-purpose. We take pride in prioritizing a fair and liveable wage for all of our workers, so that they may be able to find value in their work and their abilities while helping to support their families.
Community
Asha Project was birthed out of the need for women to have a space to come together in community. Our women are committed to meeting weekly in small groups in their neighborhoods to work on handicrafts, but beyond this, to be available to do everyday life together, through love, support, and encouragement.
Women Leading Women
You know the phrase, “Empowered Women Empower Women”? We have seen this brought to life and made true! All of our handicraft groups are led by women who themselves started out as a member learning handicraft work. Our hope is that our women would feel proud of themselves and empowered to lead by coming alongside other women in their home and work lives.
Pooja’s Story
Pooja is one of the beautiful women who was part of our very first Asha Project women’s group. She first seemed a bit shy, later expressing that she was less educated than others and didn't think she would be able to learn many of the skills we were teaching.
But we saw more in her, so we pushed her.
It only took a few weeks for Pooja to find she is both very good at and loves making our bead garlands! She soon began correcting other women, telling them to pay more attention to what colors were put together, how "this color and that color look good next to each other," and "this one is too big, that one is too small."
Our bead garlands brought to light a new side of herself that she didn't know existed, and now Pooja is our lead bead garland maker! She handpicks every bead for every garland, paying special attention to detail so that you get the very best!
For the first time in her life, Pooja believes she has unique skills that bring her hope and joy, and she is able to use these skills to help support her family!
That's what we are all about!
Asha Project Community Projects
Asha Project is committed to not only investing in the lives of our women, but also their communities! We are always looking for ways to empower communities and sew seeds of hope!
