Asha-UFlorida, founded in the Fall semester of 2003, is an action group formed by professionals and students at the University of Florida and the surrounding Gainesville-Ocala region. We intend to mobilize the local community to collectively support this effort. The focus of the group is to raise awareness among the students, the faculty and the local community about the need for promoting basic education in India.The objectives of this group are:

1. To provide education to underprivileged children in India.
2. To support and cooperate with persons and groups already engaged in similar activities.
3. To raise the required human and other resources to achieve the group objectives.
4. To provide opportunity to individuals based in the U.S. who wish to participate in Asha activities in India.
5. To address, whenever possible, other issues affecting human life such as health care, environment, socio-economic aspects and women's issues.

The group will fund a number of educational projects in rural India and maintain a close personal involvement with them. 100% of the funds collected will be used to support projects in India, all administrative costs are borne by volunteers of Asha.

Asha for Education receives a 3 star rating by independent charity evaluation agency.

Visit the Asha UFlorida  Youtube Channel

Work Done at a Glance

The main highlights are

• Projects Supported from 1995 - 2004 : 385
• Funds Disbursed from 1995 - 2004 : 6.07 million
• Chapters: 66 = 45 in the U.S. + 14 in India + 7 in Europe + Singapore + Australia.
• Volunteers: Over 1000 active volunteers

Today, there are over 66 Asha chapters worldwide: 45 in the US, 14 in India, and 7 in Europe, Singapore and Australia. The organization has more than 1000 active volunteers and several thousand supporters around the world.

Till date, Asha has supported more than 385 different projects spanning 24 states in India. In terms of project funding, almost $4,000,000 has been disbursed to these projects since Asha's inception. In 2002 alone, Asha chapters raised and disbursed more than $1,000,000 to over 200 projects. The annual reports and our financial statements are available here .

Perhaps, more important than these numbers is the personal leadership that the volunteers take in carrying out Asha's activities. Involvement with Asha has produced an awareness about developmental issues in India and has inspired a whole range of volunteers to get involved in other social causes. There has also been an increased emphasis on the formation of more chapters in India (called Asha Centers) so as to draw upon the collective energy and experience of part and full-time volunteers in India and to build closer bonds with our projects. These Asha centers also serve to network like-minded individuals, in addition to pioneering bold new initiatives in the field of education. Thus, Asha, while making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children of India, is also preparing a group of people who are more socially aware and socially responsible in their lives.

Asha's Activities

Clearly, identifying, researching, owning, funding, and sustaining projects has formed the core of Asha's activities till now. Asha raises funds for its projects in a number of ways: individual donations, corporate donations, sale of merchandise (T-shirts, calendars, mugs, greeting cards, etc.), fundraising dinners, Indian classical music and dance concerts, popular music concerts and many others. In the process, we also promote Indian culture over here.

Some Asha chapters also work towards raising awareness in appropriate forums about various issues affecting the people of India. This awareness-raising is accomplished by organizing discussion series, invited talks and study groups. Asha also acts as a network for various grass-roots workers and volunteers and non-governmental organizations.

If you would like to find out more about us, our activities, and, if you would like to participate and contribute to our efforts in any way, please contact members of the nearest you. We want you to be part of the movement!