Do Unto Others

One day a Guru sat under a tree with his disciples. "How do you know when the day begins?" he asked.

After some silence the first disciple answered "I know the day has begun when I hear the fourth crow of the cock. "Very clever", replied the Guru with a grin.

Another disciple then answered "I know the day has begun when I am able to distinguish between the Neem and the Mango tree, then it is clear the light of day has come". The Guru smiled and thought it a wise answer but was silent.

This tale illustrates well the meaning of The Ashray Charitable Trust . Ashray is committed to uplift those destitute, shackled by poverty. We are a family at Ashray and everyone is our brother or sister. Our doors are open to anyone in need. We are not just a charity. We believe in independence, empowerment is our aim, and as the saying goes "don't just give a man a fish - but teach him how to fish". We operate with the assistance of wonderful humans who share their wealth to better the lives of those who live in the Nagwa slum, so that they may have the experience of living a dignified human life.

Father Francis, our founder, has been slowly transforming the area of Nagwa for the last thirty years. This area has been home to migrants and 'casteless' illiterate people for nearly a century. The streets were lined with tiny shacks patched together with scraps of wood and plastic. Since that time many shacks have been torn down and small brick homes now stand in their place.

Step One

In the early eighties, Father Francis started the first 'Nagwa Social Centre'. With the assistance of his Benares Fund, he bought two large plots and converted them into the cooperative garden. The initial programs of the Ashray Nagwa Social Centre were held in the pump house of the co-operative garden. The garden has an impact which resonates in the minds of the young generation; providing nutrition, teaching respect for the Earth, building community, and contributing as an extra source of income.

Step Two

In 1993, with money from his Benares Fund, Francis bought a tiny plot of land, on which stood a small ramshackle brick house. The original programs then shifted from the cooperative garden to this little dilapidated two room bungalow in Nagwa. However, this house was in bad need of repair and was too small for all the youngsters who excitedly wanted to join in the programs; literacy classes, sewing classes, health and hygiene classes etc.

Step Three

Mrs. Shachi Prakash, a friend of Father's since 1982, became actively involved in assisting father in 1998. She appealed to her family church of The Sacred Heart Parish in Droitwich U.K. The parish's Justice and Peace group sensed the urgency, the need of Nagwa. They answered this call by creating a millennium project, gathering the funds to erect a functional building that would house the hospital and the Ashray School. This wonderful organization continues to support us to this day.

http://www.sacredheartdroitwich.org.uk - Go to community - committees drop down for Justice & Peace.

Ashray Forever

Father's Dream has come to fruition, a health and educational centre for the people of Nagwa is now running well. The people are proud of their centre. With your financial help we can ensure that this flourishing centre has a long life.

For the purpose of recieving donations a new website was built, and a foundation was created in The Netherlands named 'Vrienden van Ashray' (Friends of Ashray). Donations are transferred to Vrienden van Ashray which is the general foundation that supports Ashray. 

Please note that a portion of each donation will be used to create a land fund. A property will be bought and sold to create a corpus fund using the interest collected to cover Ashray's monthly running costs.

Diagram of the Organization