ashram

ASHRAM exhibited the traditional handmade rugs and crafts made by the women beneficiaries of ASHRAM's projects in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India

The exhibition was held from 4 March to 17 March 2010

at the the Bushey and Oxhey Methodist Church.

The exhibtion was ended by a special Afghan Evening

Awarness about Aghan culture and needs of Afghan people

There was a short Drama about an afghan family experiencing the struggle of being refugees living in a refugee camp in Pakistan

and now returning to Kabul. The play was about the family life-style in Kabul. How they related to each other, How they prepare for eating meal seating on the floor. The parents appreciate that their children fortunately can go to school now and opportunity that one of their girls is supported by ASHRAM to be train in carpet weaving and earns some income which is a greate help for the family.

The drama was followed by a tradtional Afghan dinner, and three speakers about ASHRAM's projects, Importance of awareness of local people in the UK about Afghan people and culture, There were slides show on Afghanistan and afghan.

The outcome

1)The event was well attended. many publicity about ASHRAM's projects supporting women with education and employment. It was published in Watford Observer, Bushy Directory and Libral Democrats Website.

2) We sold five traditional handmade rugs made by afghan girls supported to be trained by ASHRAM International. There are some more interested to buy people who would like to order in later stage. The collected fund was sent to the partner organisation for further development of the project.

3) One of the atendees is taking this further and is organising a similar event in her local area.

4) Our landlord Bushey and Oxhey methodist Church who has enormously helped us in organising the event has giving us the opportunity to display ASHRAM's Projects craft in thier meeting point. The meeting point is open every day between 10am-12noon. You can have a cup of tea or coffee and have a look at ASHRAM's crafts. We are very grateful for Bushey and Oxhey Methodist Church support.

Please click below for the artilce on Watford LibDems website about ASHRAM's exhibition. Sal Brinton visited this exhibition on International Womens day:

international_womens_day

11th Annual General Review Meeting

08 October 2008 at the Indian YMCA London

An article written about ASHRAM International

in the monthly news letter - the LINK November 2008 - of the Bushey & Oxhey Methodist Church

Ashram International is a small charity based in our church which committed to changing the lives of the poorest-particularly women and children – within the Indian sub-Continent and neighbouring countries. It raises funds to support a range of charities providing education, training, housing and employment.

Four of us went from the church to share in the AGM at the Indian YMCA in London, and heard a fascinating series of stories of the work being done. We watched an absorbing video telling us of the rescue and rehabilitation of street girls in Sri Lanka, heard of a school for tribal children (some of the poorest) in the hills of South India which will complete a new building in the next few weeks, enabling it to accommodate over 100 children.

In war-torn Afghanistan we heard of a charity providing delivery rooms in a village health centre in the Panjsheer Valley, and the rapid growth of Afghan Action. Young men and women of Kabul some severely disabled-receive food, medical care and training in a trade which can help them earn a living. The craft is creating traditional hand-made Afghan carpets, largely lost in recent years, with an outlet in places like John Lewis and Habitat. Another story came from Sri Lanka where funds are enabling village women potters to develop new forms of pottery which will soon be finding their way as fairly – traded goods into London stories.

This annual review of the work which ashram International supports is a real tonic to the spirit – a glimpse of positive and creative action that is changing lives and providing opportunity for new skills and fuller life. It is a charity the church is happy to support through its benevolences.

Copies of the annual report are on view in the Meeting Point. Enjoy reading it, and be excited by the positive achievements and projects completed. At the AGM we were reminded of this saying by Martin Luther King “It is always the right time to do the right thing”.

Our 10th Anniversary

October 2007

We celebrated our 10th anniversary last year at the conference room of the Indian YMCA in London. Below is the photo galary of the event which shows that we are proud to be able to contribute to make life better for the less fortunate people.

Countess Ilona welcomes all the guests

Maliha Kabir, takes the minutes

Ed Ross, Ashram Trustee reads out Countess Mountbatten’s speech, who regrettably was unable to attend the meeting. John Dowling, Secretary and Maliha Kabir, listen intensely

Roddy Jones talks about empowering

war widows in Panjsheer, Afghanistan

Chris Beales talks about Income Generation at a carpet weaving factory in Kabul, Afghanistan

Martin Jones explaining the latest news from the school for Tribal Children in Nilgiris, India

Mark Abraham spoke about our shelter for girls, under 15 years old in Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

Martin Hunt delivered an interesting speech about a pottery project in Biyagama, Sri Lanka

Eleanor Gall talks about the availability of funds for Afghanistan. Swapna Mookurjee listens

Guests listening to the Countess Ilona’s comments on the projects presentation

Countess Ilona closes the meeting

Mary Beckett from Bushey & Oxhey Methodist Church, contributes flowers to Countess Ilona, and highly commends our work

Past years news:

Rev Dr David Clarke publishes “This Other Eden”
1 October, 2004

Murugappa SHelter Trust Update
28 September, 2004

Ashram Investments
28 September, 2004