The Asha Colorado 'Support A Child' program makes it possible for an individual to sponsor the cost of education and total living expense of one underprivileged child in India.

Asha's role is to find a suitable education project run by a non profit organization in India which targets children who are unable to pursue education (both formal and non formal) due to lack of funds. Then Asha endeavors to find sponsors for the children in this project. Asha follows through by disbursing and monitoring the sponsors' funds. Asha will obtain regular progress reports of the children and build strong sponsor-child communication. The sponsor has the opportunity to become a mentor and a friend to his sponsored child by writing letters. But all letters will be opened by teachers and they will communicate to the child the contents of your letters. The sponsor can also arrange a visit with his child through Asha and the project coordinators in India.

MGRS was started in 1991 and is located in Udupi district of Karnataka about 45km from Mangalore. The program offers free residential school and uses innovative non-formal teaching techniques to attract and retain those kids who are at risk of dropping out of school after the 7^th standard.

Most people living in this community are daily laborers. Their financial condition is quite precarious. Alcoholism, which is rampant among the male members, puts even more financial pressure on these families. As a result children are often forced to drop out of school and start working in hotels in the surrounding towns. Some parents, most notably mothers are however very keen to make sure that their children get an education. This is where MGRS steps in. By offering free boarding and education, it makes it a viable option for many parents to send their children to school instead of sending them off to work.

This school has had great success in giving these kids and their families a chance to get out of the cycle of poverty. For the last 6 years MGRS kids have had a 100% success rate in state board examinations. Many of them have gone on to study in vocational institutes like ITI (Indian Technical Institute). Some of them have even gained admittance into engineering colleges.

For more details about the school click here.

By enrolling in the SAC program for MGRS you can play a role in molding a kid's future. If you so desire you can even act as a mentor and guide your sponsored kid when he graduates from school.

The expansion of the Indian economy is opening up a world of possibilities. However without proper education these kids will always remain mere spectators in this new world. Your contribution of just $15 a month can make sure that at least one kid and his family will have a shot at achieving all that we take for granted.