From slums to university: Trinity’s commitment to helping Asha change lives in India

Each year, a group of Trinity students travel to Delhi to volunteer with Asha, a foundation dedicated to empowering slum dwellers to make positive life changes through healthcare, financial assistance and education. This ongoing program has forged a close relationship between Asha and Trinity, with more and more of our students becoming interested in supporting the organisation through visits and fundraising activities, such as the recent ‘Row for Rudi’ ergathon.

Delhi-based Dr Kiran Martin, Founder and Director of Asha, attended yesterday’s event and emphasised the monumental impact the foundation has on young people living in India’s slums, saying that when supported by Asha ‘suddenly the world opens up to them’. A prime example is Trinity alumnus Mahinder (TC 2016), who transitioned from the slums of Delhi to Trinity College and the University of Melbourne, and now works for the Macquarie Group in Sydney. 

Trinity alumnus Robert Johanson (TC 1969) plays a pivotal role in supporting the organisation as chairman of the Australian Friends of Asha for Slums, and helped Mahinder secure a place at Trinity. ‘I remember Mahinder telling me that his room at Trinity was bigger than his family house in India,’ says Robert. ‘The changes Asha makes to these people’s lives is extraordinary.’

Since its inception in 2012, Asha has assisted 2600 people to transition from slum life to higher education. 
 

Inspired by the work of the Asha Foundation, a group of Trinity students are planning an alumni fundraiser for the Asha Foundation later in the year, with details soon to be confirmed.