ASHRAY
A Ray of Hope
GIRLS HOSTEL : AGASI, GUJARAT
An independent and empowered young woman possesses the potential to not only thrive
personally but also play a pivotal role in positively impacting her family and society. In the spirit of
providing opportunities to such young women, we initiated Ashray, a hostel designed to uplift
tribal girls in Agasi, Gujarat.
The adage "When you do Good, Good happens" encapsulates the essence of our mission. The
entire Ashray Hostel project has been made possible thanks to the unwavering trust and
support of Hygienic Research Institute Pvt Ltd (HRIPL).
Additionally, the project has thrived due to the blessings and active participation of Mrs. Savita
Kailash Chhabra, who has been an integral part of the project since its inception, contributing to
its growth from its very foundation to the present day. We are delighted to share the Ashray
st
th
Hostel's report for the period spanning from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023.
01
LS
R
IR
O
G U
The primary focus and essence of Ashray is centered around the young girls under our care.
These girls, the majority of whom are orphans or come from single-parent backgrounds, hail
from impoverished tribal families, yet they share a common aspiration of pursuing education
and achieving success in life.
Following a year of dedicated efforts and establishment of the essential infrastructure, we
expanded our girls' population this year, increasing it from 15 to 28. The newcomers, all of whom
are senior students aged 15-16, find themselves at a critical juncture in their educational
journey.
The younger residents graciously embraced their elder counterparts and, within a week,
facilitated their seamless integration into the hostel. This bond has cultivated a sisterly
atmosphere among them all. The inclusion of these senior girls has contributed significantly to
the hostel's equilibrium, as they extend their nurturing care to their younger peers.
The D. M. Desai School, established by the Desai family way back in 1971, opened its doors to
accommodate our new girls. Although they initially faced some challenges in adapting, our girls
have now acclimated well and are diligently striving to achieve academic excellence.
02
TAR
FF
O
S U
Avinashi, our dedicated warden, has grown increasingly confident and is effectively fulfilling her
responsibilities in overseeing the girls. Geetaben, our talented cook, is renowned for preparing
exquisite meals, and she has earned a special place in the hearts of our residents, who regard
her as a beloved senior family member.
This year, we welcomed Sangitaben to our team. Possessing extensive teaching experience
and a lifelong dedication to working with children, Sangitaben excels in physical training and
sports. Her addition has significantly benefited our girls, as she instills discipline and
encourages hard work among them. Sangitaben's constant presence and active involvement in
the daytime extends to assisting the school children with some of their classes.
In addition to our core team, we have a vigilant night watchman responsible for ensuring the
safety of our girls and assisting with minor tasks at the hostel.
03
ADDITIONAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
In response to the incorporation of new girls, there arose a pressing requirement for
infrastructure expansion. We once again approached Hygienic Reasearch Foundation and Mrs
Savita Chhabra for support and extend our profound gratitude to them for helping us and
facilitating this expansion.
This year, we have undertaken the construction of a room on the terrace, which now
accommodates the relocated kitchen. Consequently, a room on the ground floor has been freed
up, providing a dedicated space for the girls to engage in their studies and prepare for the day.
Moreover, the store room has undergone a significant reduction in its contents, as a majority of
items have been relocated to the newly created space on the terrace. Additionally, we have
established a designated cleaning area behind the hostel to facilitate laundry activities.
04
DAILY
ROUTINE
Our girls commence their day at 5 am and, after preparing themselves, engage in early morning
prayers. Following this, they carry out various household chores based on their group
assignments, including cooking, cleaning, and tending to their laundry.
Subsequently, they partake in a morning meal and dedicate an hour or so to their studies. At
approximately 10 am, they depart for school and return around 5.30 pm. Upon their return, they
take a brief period to rest before embarking on another hour of focused study. This is followed
by an early dinner.
Post-dinner, they have the opportunity to unwind by watching television or participating in
indoor games. Eventually, they retire to bed around 10 pm.
On weekends, the girls in Class X attend extra classes in school. We have organised for an extra
teacher to help all the students of Class X in school with Math and Science. In addition they
have karate class to aid in their physical and mental well-being. The continued focus remains
holistic development that includes mental and physical health, good nutrition and sanitation
along with good quality education.
05
EV AT
EN IO
TS N
S
D
BR
AN
LE
CE
Throughout this year, our girls have experienced a wealth of joy and celebrations. In
addition to the monthly special meal, the Hostel has witnessed various other
occasions marked by festivities, which our girls thoroughly relished.
Our girls enthusiastically partake in the celebration of every festival, whether it's
Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami, or Ganpati. They possess a deep affection for
dancing and wholeheartedly engage in school events and functions during these
festive occasions.
Furthermore, our girls have also embraced sports activities, with one notable
example being Ms Anita Bhusara who proudly represented the school's Kho-Kho
team at the Taluka level.
06
CHALLENGES
In recent months, our hostel has encountered challenges due to the prevalence of viral
infections and illnesses among the girls. Coexisting in close quarters, it is not uncommon for
multiple girls to fall ill simultaneously, presenting a formidable challenge.
In the event of any girl falling unwell, our protocol necessitates immediate visits to
healthcare professionals and prompt notification of their guardians. This task is further
complicated by the fact that our girls hail from villages located as far as 50 kilometers away,
rendering it difficult for their guardians to arrive promptly in the case of emergencies. Such
circumstances exert significant pressure on our dedicated team, we thankfully receive
substantial assistance from the healthcare providers at the Primary Healthcare Center.
We extend our deep appreciation to Shri Nehalbhai Desai, our generous land donor, for his
unwavering support during these emergencies. Mr. Desai goes above and beyond to ensure
that the girls receive comprehensive care, personally involving himself in these crucial
matters.
A pressing need that has arisen for the hostel is the acquisition of a dedicated vehicle. This
vehicle would serve a dual purpose, aiding in emergency situations and facilitating day-today supply needs for the team. Currently, Mr. Nehalbhai Desai utilizes his personal car for
these purposes, at times incurring inconveniences, underscoring the necessity for a
dedicated vehicle.
07
D
G R
IN A
O W
G R
FO
In the near future, our girls will embark on an educational trip organized by the school,
providing them with the opportunity to explore a new place and acquire fresh knowledge.
Our forthcoming endeavor is to place a strong emphasis on the individual growth and
development of each girl under our care. This year, a significant number of our girls are
preparing for their 10th board examinations, and we are committed to providing them with
comprehensive support to facilitate their academic success.
All of these accomplishments have been made possible through the unwavering support of
HRIPL and, in particular, the instrumental role played by Savita Ma'am, affectionately
referred to as 'Dadi' (Grandmom) by our girls. Situated in Mumbai, she remains dedicated to
overseeing and nurturing the project.
At Sparsh, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to HRIPL and Savita Ma'am for their invaluable
support, and we eagerly anticipate further collaborative efforts to continue nurturing
Ashray as the cherished dream home for our girls.
08
A Ray of Hope
ASHRAY
GIRLS HOSTEL : AGASI, GUJARAT
Trust Registered under Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 E-24942(Bom)
Donations to Sparsh are exempt as per the provisions of Section 80G of The Income Tax Act, 1961
PAN NO. : AAHTS 5106 Q
CSR Registration Number: CSR00003937
6th Floor Manav Mandir School Premises, 10 Manav Mandir Road, Walkeshwar, Mumbai 400 006
Ph no. : 9819448076 | Email: sparsh.trust@gmail.com