Transforming lives in a Dehli slum

Hi I am Bethany Henry from Lisburn, Northern Ireland. I am age 17 and soon I will be going to India with a team of nine students and 4 teachers from my school to work in the slums of Dehli with the charity ASHA. I expect this to be a life changing experience.

Asha means hope. The charity began in 1988 when a young, middle-class paediatrician, Dr Kiran Martin entered a Delhi slum for the very first time, to treat victims of a cholera outbreak. Dr Martin was horrified by the conditions she found, with no drains or toilets, and pervasive malnutrition and disease. But instead of turning back to her promising medical career,she decided to dedicate herself to improving the lives of slum dwellers. At the core of her approach has been a love and respect for every individual she meets. Asha runs healthcare clinics and train ladies of the slums to administer simple healthcare technniques and advice. It helps educate the children of the slums and provides community centers and clothing. It seeks to replace anguish and confrontation in the slums with love and laughter, to banish oppression and bring joy. I hope to bring joy to the children of the slums, taking time to talk to them, play games,and teach them songs and crafts.In addition I will paint walls and tidy up around the a slum community center and paint a mural to brighten up the environment.Our team intends to bring money with us, to buy materials, clothes, healthcare items and books to leave a legacy with the people of the slums. This trip will be expensive but is inspired by love, and belief in the dignity and worth of all people. It is my wish to empower some of the poorest people in the world and so bring about transformational change.