Street to School -Mainstreaming Street Children

This report celebrates the incredible journeys of individuals and communities empowered through education, skill-building, and compassionate care at Aasraa. A heartfelt thank you to our generous donors, whose invaluable support makes these transformative changes possible, helping us create brighter futures - one step at a time.

Empowered & Employable: Big Wins and Bright Futures!

80 New Graduates, 800 Strong!

It’s official – another 80 talented trainees have just graduated from Aasraa's SkillAbility, skills training program, and we couldn’t be prouder! This brings our total to a whopping 800 graduates since April 2023, when it was launched. 

Here's how the latest batch breaks down:

• 32 in Hotel Management
• 20 in Basic Computer Skills
• 20 in Cutting and Tailoring
• 8 in Automotive Service Tech

These rising stars were celebrated in a convcation ceremony in June 2025 in the presence of donors, parteners and well-wishers of this initiave.These graduates are ready to take on the world with new skills and endless potential!

SkillAbility Grows: Big Moves for Better Learning

We’re always looking for ways to make SkillAbility a place where learning and innovation thrive. That’s why we’re beyond excited to share some huge upgrades to our center:

• Solar Panels – Thanks to our partners at help alliance, we can now take active steps to run SkillAbility through clean energy. It will greatly help us conserve energy and run the program more efficiently. 
• New Bus Service – We’re making it easier than ever for trainees, especially those from remote areas, to access the center. The new bus service will also support industrial visits, giving our learners hands-on experience in the field!

Our grateful thanks to help alliance for their incredible support in making these additons possible.

With these upgrades, we’re not just improving infrastructure—we’re improving lives.

From Streets to Schools: Changing Futures with Aasraa

International Day for Street Children hits close to home for Aasraa. It’s a reminder of where we began—under the Bindal Bridge with just 35 kids and a dream. Fast forward to today, and that dream has changed the lives of over 28,600 children.

This year, we’re proud to partner with the District Administration of Dehradun to bring street children into the classroom. The Intensive Care Centre (ICC) at one of Aasraa's partner schools is a game-changer, helping 50+ children transition from begging to learning, all in under five months!

The ICC is packed with everything they need to thrive—computer labs, AV classrooms, even a music room! We’re proving that with the right support, these children don’t just survive—they soar.

Celebrating Neurodiversity: World Autism Awareness Day

At Aasraa, neurodiversity is something we celebrate every day. On April 2, 2025, we observed World Autism Awareness Day with a special focus on our 15 children with autism at our Special Needs Centre.

We’re here to help every child, including those on the autism spectrum, build social skills, confidence, and independence. With 90 children in total at the center, we’re committed to creating a world where every child is supported, celebrated, and empowered to thrive.

A Healthier Tomorrow: Aasraa + Altrus HealthCare

We’re so excited to announce that all of Aasraa’s children will now have access to free medical care at the state-of-the-art Altrus Hospital in Dehradun, thanks to our amazing partnership with Altrus HealthCare.

This collaboration means better health outcomes for the children in our care, plus a dedicated office for our medical team, making healthcare more efficient and accessible. Together, we’re building a healthier, happier future for every child.


Our Students Continue to Make Us Proud…

We’re thrilled to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our students in the recent 10th and 12th Board Exams. Their hard work, dedication, and resilience have led to outstanding results, and we couldn’t be prouder!

Here’s how our top performers fared in the 10th and 12th Board Exams:

Class 10:

• Top Performer: 88.6%
• Second Top Performer: 88%

Class 12:

• Top Performer: 83.4%
• Second Top Performer: 81.6%

We’re just getting started!

As we continue to grow and evolve, one thing remains constant: our commitment to empowering every child, trainee, and community member we work with. We believe that with the right support, there are no limits to what we can achieve together!

Stay tuned for more updates as we keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible!

Links:

• A heart that needed healing- Check out this impact story.

Inspiring Dreams Driving Change

 

AASRAA TURNS 16!

 

On 12 March 2025, Aasraa completed 16 years on the ground. From 35 children to over 25,000 lives transformed, it's been a journey of resilience, growth and hope. 

We are deeply grateful to our donors, supporters and volunteers who stood with us on every step of the way. 

Thank you for being an essential part of our mission!

 

IMPACT IN ACTION – REAL STORIES, REAL PROGRESS

(Name changed to protect the identity of children)

1. Story of finding her inner call

Sapna lives in the slum community with five siblings, one of whom, Rohit, is also studying at the Aasraa Trust’s NIOS center. Her eldest brother and two older sisters have married and are living separately with their own families.

“Before Aasraa, I never imagined I'd be in a classroom, let alone dream of becoming a tailor. Now, I not only study but also create things with my hands. Aasraa has helped me find my confidence and my future”.

In 2020, the Aasraa’s outreach team discovered Sapna and encouraged her and her parents to enroll her in Aasraa’s Education cart. Education Carts are refurbished vegetable carts filled with interactive teaching learning materials to ignite the love for learning in children. Despite the challenges of life, including the loss of her mother, Sapna has not only persevered but has thrived.

In 2022 she was enrolled into the National Institute of Open Schooling in Level A (class 3rd) subsequently promoting to Level B (class 5th) Sapna has grown from a shy girl into a confident student. With an impressive academic performance, she is longer the quiet observer; she actively participates in every activity and takes on responsibilities like managing the center assembly.

Sapna faces hardships daily. Yet, she remains undeterred, driven by her dreams. Inspired by her teachers and fellow students, she has discovered her passion for tailoring. Under the guidance of her stitching teacher, she has already created beautiful items like cushion covers and bags, showcasing her growing skills.

Sapna is currently mainstreamed in our partner school in class 9and has found her haven in Aasraa’s Shelter home.

Sapna’s story is one of strength and determination. Her journey reminds us that with support, encouragement, and hard work, even the most difficult circumstances can lead to personal growth and achievement. She aspires to become a tailor, and with her discipline and talent, there’s no doubt she will stitch a bright future for herself.

2.  A dream to rise from Village streets to the Indian Air Force Cockpit

Priya came under the Aasraa umbrella in class 9^th in 2017 and lives in Aasraa’s Shelter Home. She hails from a small village. After the untimely passing of her mother, Priya’s family dynamics shifted significantly. Her father works in the kitchen of a hostel, striving to provide for a large and growing family. Her stepmother resides in their village, caring for Priya’s younger siblings—her biological sister currently in Class 10, a six-month-old stepsister, and two younger stepbrothers, one in Class 5 and another only three years old, yet to begin school. As the sole breadwinner, her father bears the weight of many responsibilities, making it difficult to meet the needs of his family.

“After losing my mother, life felt uncertain. Aasraa gave me a safe place to stay, to study, and to grow. Today, I dream of flying high—literally—as a pilot in the Indian Air Force. Education changed everything for me”.

Despite these hurdles, Priya has remained committed to her education. She is studying in Aasraa’s partner school and has consistently performed well academically, securing an impressive 84% in her Class 10 board exams. She recently appeared for her Class 12 exams, having chosen the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) stream. Currently, she is enrolled in a Basics in Computer course at Aasraa’s skill training centre, SkillAbility, to strengthen her foundational knowledge and technical skills as she waits for her class 12 results.

Priya aspires to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Technology. She is also deeply passionate about serving in the Indian Air Force as a pilot.

She is an active participant in extracurriculars, particularly Yoga, where she has proudly represented her district, and volleyball.

Priya embodies resilience, ambition, and the spirit of perseverance. With the right guidance and continued support, she holds immense promise to rise above her circumstances and create a meaningful impact in the world. We strongly believe that with mentorship and opportunity, Priya can realize her dreams and inspire many others along the way.

3.  A dream to become a Master Chef! 

Mohan has been with Aasraa Trust for eight years. As an orphan, he sought refuge with Aasraa Trust, finding a nurturing environment at Aasraa’s shelter home. His brother also resides at Aasraa. 

He joined Aasraa in 2018, and started studying in one of Aasraa’s partner schools.

In 2023, Mohan scored well in his 12th-grade examinations with 71%. Since then, he has shown remarkable dedication and confidence in helping him to shape his career aspirations.

"I lost my parents, but not my hope. Aasraa gave me a home, an education, and a path. Today, I’m studying Hotel Management and training to become a chef. I’ve found purpose and passion."


Despite being selected for the prestigious HCL Tech Bee program, Mohan's dream is to become a renowned chef and build a career in Hotel Management. He completed a certificate course in Hotel Management at Aasraa’s skills center - SkillAbility.

He is currently pursuing Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management, B.Sc. (HM). He is not only learning new skills that will help him in his career. participated in the prestigious Young Minds program by IHM Lucknow, where he gained firsthand experience in hospitality during the Mahakumbh event, organized by the India Tourism Development Corporation. Though he faced some initial challenges, the experience proved to be incredibly rewarding, offering him valuable insights into the functioning of large-scale projects.

Once again, thank you donors for making these stories of change, possible!

Links:

• Celebrating World Social Work Day
• I am Aasraa
• A little heart that needed healing