Asha for Education

To bring about socio-economic change in the local community through education which could educate children for literacy, self-reliance and good human behavior in the society.

Asha Samajik Vidyalaya, Reoti (formerly known as Asha Shikshan Sansthan) is a school run by Asha in Ballia. The school was started in 1997 when Sandeep Pandey (Magsaysay awardee and a founding member of Asha) visited Ballia with the initiative of Brajendra Tiwari and two other teachers with the goal of making free education attainable and practical for the children of the local community, increasing awareness of the importance of child education, and veering young children away from hard labour.

<img src="/austin/Ballia/ballia-A.jpg" width=480 height=320>

The school was started to serve the impoverished communities - Rajbhar, Bansfore etc. - primarily consisting of landless agricultural laborers or those who farm on leased land. Before Asha Austin started funding the project, the school was being run in a temple dharamshala and the varandah near it. Now, the school has make-shift classrooms made out of tin-sheds, desks and chairs, basic study material for children, and an acre of leased land. The school started with 34 children (29 girls and 5 boys) with very meagre resources. Because of the efforts of Brajendra Tiwari and with Asha funding, the school has begun to be viewed positively by the community and has grown to about 130 children. It is heartening to see the dual goals of child education and community awareness slowly but surely materializing in this village. For more detailed information on the school and community's history and progress, please see the progress documents listed on the right side of this page.

Name changed from Asha Sikshan Sansthan to Asha Samajik Vidyalaya (Reoti) Ashawiki issue 448