Mission

Tear Fund - Asha Health Project, Delhi

Project Background

Over 3 million of Delhi's 15 million people live in an estimated 1,500 slum colonies, housing migrants from neighbouring states, who come in search of work - from different religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The migrants occupy public wasteland and because they live in constant fear of eviction they are unwilling to invest in improving their homes or environment.

Their lack of self-confidence, ignorance of their rights and fear of exploitation make them slow to unite as a community.  The women of the slums are not only poor, but are uneducated, tradition-bound and often oppressed by men.

The slum dwellers typically live in small makeshift huts built from whatever material is at hand. Crowded along narrow mud lanes, they are ill-ventilated and offer scant protection from the extremes of heat, cold and rain. Disease and fire spread easily.

The settlements are usually located beside drainage canals, main roads or railway tracks. They suffer from a number of environmental hazards such as heavy pollution, flooding, poor drainage and the build up of refuse and waste material,

Because the slum settlements were originally regarded as illegal, the government made no effort to provide them with civic amenities.

Although this policy has now changed, the facilities provided are usually inadequate and often fail. Many slums lack even the basic amenities such as water supply, proper drains or toilets, electricity, paved lanes or refuse disposal, while schools and clinics are rarely within reach.

The Partner

Asha (meaning 'hope' in Hindi) is a community health and development society dedicated to improving the quality of life for slum dwellers. It was born out of a vision to love and serve the poor in the name and spirit of Christ.

Asha's work began in one slum, with a staff of one doctor (Kiran Martin) and one multi-purpose worker, based in a small shack. Dr Martin learnt quickly that medical assistance by itself was not enough to make a lasting difference. Instead she developed a holistic approach to community health, now the basis of Asha's work.

Project Outline

Asha's Urban Healthcare Programme now encompasses 32 slums - providing healthcare for over 175,000 people through a network of Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), nurses and doctors. It runs small government built clinics in several slums and services other slum communities with mobile clinics - as well as a facility in South Delhi where investigative facilities and specialist doctors are available.

There are three main areas of work:

Community Empowerment - women's action groups, children's centres, savings schemes etc.

Community-Based Healthcare - maternal care, reproductive health training, HIV/AIDS awareness, training of community health volunteers, child healthcare etc.

Infrastructural and Environmental Improvements - Each project area has a set of objectives concerned with amenities like water, power, sanitation and pathways.

Advocacy is another part of Asha's work.

Dr Martin has been awarded one of India's highest awards by the government for her outstanding contribution to the social sector.