Asha Chennai

Asha Chennai Asha for Education is a worldwide action group formed to catalyze socio-economic change in India Join us to make a lasting impact!

Asha for Education began in 1991 at UC Berkeley, founded by students eager to support educational initiatives in India. Today, Asha has grown to 60+ chapters worldwide, recognized globally when Dr. Sandeep Pandey received the Magsaysay Award in 2002. Asha Chennai, established in 2002, stands out by directly executing projects that support over 180 schools, 11 libraries, and 9 Rural Technology Cent

ers, while also offering scholarships to over 100 students. With a core group of dedicated volunteers, Asha Chennai raises funds from individuals and organizations, prioritizing quality education in government schools.

24/04/2026

On 18 April 2026, Asha Impressions was hosted at the Amazon office in the World Trade Centre, Chennai. Students from as far away as Thoothukudi and Thiruvarur traveled overnight to Chennai to take part in this event. Others from Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram and Thiruvallur started from their homes at 3:00 am and 5:00 am!

Asha Chennai currently supports over 500 schools, reaching more than 50,000 children through diverse educational programs. One of our flagship initiatives, the SPRINT program, supports 190+ schools, including 15 in Uttar Pradesh, benefiting 15,000 children. This program focuses on primary and middle school education, deploying 160+ teachers across 170 government schools in Tamil Nadu to deliver computer education for Classes 1 to 8.

At the end of each academic year, students submit projects showcasing their learning. This year, from 1,300+ projects submitted by SPRINT schools, 34 projects were selected to be presented before judges at Amazon. The event was planned over two weeks in collaboration with Amazon.

Students competed in three categories:
•Digital Literacy
•Scratch Programming
•Physical Computing

Their presentations featuring props, skits, dance, music, hand built models, and remarkable confidence impressed the judges, who praised the children’s technical skills, creativity, and attention to detail.

Winners of the competition are-
Digital Literacy
1st Place - PUMS Irulneeki - Math zone
2nd place- PUPS Kolathur - Moral Story (Thirukkural)
3rd place- PUPS Boochiathipet - Social Media
4th place- PUMS Melacherry - Seasons

Scratch Programming
1st Place - PUMS Karadikulam - Physics behind games
2nd place- PUMS Manjakuppam - Science Experiments
3rd place- Olcott School -Quiz Race and PUMS K. Venkateshwarapuram -Solubility

Physical Computing
1st Place - PUMS Ramanjeri - Smart School
2nd place- PUMS Othapai - How the crow turned black story

25/03/2026

Certificate distribution ceremonies were held across all 13 of Asha’s RTCs in Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvanamalai, and Thiruvarur. A total of 870 students proudly received their certificates of completion during these events. Beyond the formal recognition, the ceremonies also provided students with an opportunity to showcase their projects to volunteers, guests, teachers, and peers turning the occasion into a celebration of learning, creativity, and achievement.

24/03/2026

At the end of each course at our RTCs, the students take an assessment as well as submit a project. The students across our 13 RTCs participated in course assessments during the week leading up to the RTC Impressions on the 21st of Feb. Out of 887 students, an impressive 870 successfully cleared the exams. These students were honored with Course Completion Certificates at ceremonies held in Kanakammachatiram, Periyapalayam, and Thirupatchur on the 28th of February 2026.

At the Irshad Marriage Hall, Kanakammachatiram, certificates were distributed to students by Mr. Rajaraman Krishnan, Asha Volunteer and Coordinator, along with Mr. Shiva and Mr. Anantha. Selected students also had the opportunity to present their projects to guests and peers.

Across all RTCs, Asha received over 500 projects, of which 56 were shortlisted for participation at the RTC Impressions. While this selection process ensures quality, it also limits opportunities for many students to showcase their innovative ideas to a wider audience.

These certificate distribution ceremonies serve not only to recognize students’ achievements but also to provide a platform for creativity and collaboration. With no pressure of competition, students participate enthusiastically, enjoy lunch together, and proudly collect their certificates at the close of the event.

The event was featured in local TV and print media.

On 28 February 2026, 120 students from Asha’s Chennai, Project Poornavidhya set out on an exciting excursion. Their firs...
20/03/2026

On 28 February 2026, 120 students from Asha’s Chennai, Project Poornavidhya set out on an exciting excursion. Their first destination was the Birla Planetarium at Kotturpuram, Chennai. Located within the Periyar Science and Technology Centre campus, this is the fifth B. M. Birla Planetarium in India. The students were captivated by the 3D show and the Sky Theater, which offered a virtual tour of the night sky and planets projected onto a specially perforated hemispherical aluminium dome. They also enjoyed exploring the various museum exhibits and playing in the science park.

Asha coordinators accompanied the students throughout the trip and provided them with lunch. After the Planetarium visit, the group headed to Guindy Park, where they explored the Snake Park and spent time playing at the nearby Children’s Park, rounding off a day filled with learning, fun, and discovery.

In line with Asha’s vision of making education joyful, excursions are organized across all Asha-supported schools betwee...
20/03/2026

In line with Asha’s vision of making education joyful, excursions are organized across all Asha-supported schools between January and March. This year, students from Asha’s Project Cauvery in Thiruvarur enjoyed an enriching trip to Pudukkottai in February 2026. Their first stop was Chithannavasal, a renowned Jain cave and archaeological site in Pudukkottai district. The students were fascinated by its magnificent rock paintings, ancient Jain beds, and the cave temple dating back to the 7th–9th century.

Next, they explored the Thirumayam Fort, a sprawling 40-acre hill fort built in 1687. This 400-year-old monument played a significant role in the Palayakaar Wars and offered the students a glimpse into Tamil Nadu’s rich history.

The excursion concluded at the scenic Manora Beach, where the students relaxed and enjoyed the coastal beauty.

Asha ensured that the children were well cared for, providing them with breakfast and lunch during the trip. The project steward Ms. Komalavalli, project coordinator and dedicated teachers from Thiruvarur accompanied the students, making the day both safe and memorable.

19/03/2026

Students from our Thoothukudi project went on excursions starting February 2026. Students were taken in batches during the weekend. They visited Kaniyakumari and Madurai. One batch of students visited Kaniyakumari where they did boating, visited Kannadi Palam, Vivekananda Rock, Thiruvalluvar rock and Vattakotai fort.

Another batch of students visited Madurai where they saw the Madurai airport and visited Keeladi. The Madurai airport is the fourth busiest airport by passenger traffic in the state after Chennai, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli airports. For many government school students, seeing an airport is a rare experience, as it is not part of their everyday lives. Watching airplanes take off filled them with excitement and joy, making the visit a truly memorable moment. Keeladi is a significant archaeological site near Madurai, Tamil Nadu, dating back to the 6th century BCE, revealing a highly developed urban, industrial, and literate civilization along the Vaigai River. The students visited the Keeladi Museum at Sivagangai which houses the artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, and iron tools.

Since students start early in the morning, Asha provided the students with breakfast, and then lunch and snacks during the trips. Buses, lunch and tickets were organized by Asha coordinator for all these excursions. The children had a fun time visiting these locations.

11/03/2026

Asha, in partnership with Michelin India, has established a new library at JJ Nagar in the Ellapuram block of Thiruvallur district. The initiative is part of Michelin’s “My Village, My Pride” program, which provides an opportunity for its employees to assist in the development of their village.

The Irula (Irular) community, an indigenous Dravidian ethnic group in Southern India, is classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. JJ Nagar has a significant Irula population, where many children face challenges such as poverty and limited awareness about the importance of education, factors that often lead to school dropouts.

This new library offers a safe, welcoming space for children to learn and grow, fostering reading and continuous learning to strengthen education and inspire students to stay engaged.

Starting 20 Jan,2026, Asha coordinators and librarian started getting the place ready to function as a library and the library was started and the students started coming in by 16 February,2026. With their groundwork complete, we looked forward to welcoming dignitaries from Michelin for the formal inauguration, marking the shared commitment to education and community development.

The library was inaugurated on 26 February, 2026, Thursday by Mr. Jean-François Rene, Executive Director Michelin India / Site Director – Michelin Industrial Plant, Chennai and Mr. Rajaraman, Volunteer and Coordinator for Asha Chennai. The event was attended by Mr. Anbarasu C, HR General Administration, 15 other Michelin employees, Asha staff and the HM of PUPS Palavakkam school, Ms. Chinthamani.

The initiative reflects the belief that access to knowledge can transform lives, and that every child deserves the chance to dream, discover, and achieve.

04/03/2026

Asha Chennai’s RTC Impressions 2026 was held on 21 February at the Terrace Hall, IIT Madras. The event showcased the achievements of students from Asha’s Rural Technology Centres (RTCs) where rural students in Tamil Nadu receive free training in computer science and digital skills. The centres offer courses in Digital Literacy, Scratch Programming, Media Editing, Animation, Web Development, Physical Computing, and Robotics.

This year, students from 13 RTCs submitted over 500 projects at the end of their courses. From these, 56 outstanding projects were shortlisted for the RTC Impressions competition. Participants travelled from districts including Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvannamalai, and Thiruvarur to present their work.

A distinguished panel of judges from academia and industry evaluated the projects. The judges expressed deep admiration for the creativity, technical sophistication, and steady progress in project quality compared to previous years. Notably, Robotics was introduced as a competition category for the first time, with three innovative projects vying for recognition. After thoughtful deliberation, the winners were announced, marking another milestone in the journey of empowering rural students through technology.

24/02/2026

The annual health checkups for Asha staff was conducted in January 2026 across four locations: Thiruvallur, Chennai, Thoothukudi, and Thiruvanamalai. Healthians Lab was engaged to carry out the required blood tests. Tests were carried out for Vitamin B12, Cyanocobalamin, Vitamin D, Liver Function Test, Thyroid Profile, Kidney Function Test Advance, HbA1c, complete blood count, Lipid Profile etc. The technicians arrived in the morning to collect samples from teachers and staff. Since the tests required fasting, breakfast was arranged at all centers after the samples were drawn. Blood test reports were shared with participants via WhatsApp. However, teachers expressed greater interest in consulting doctors to discuss their results in detail.

Like last year, this year as well, Dr. Deepa, a longtime friend of Mr. Rajaraman, led the consultations in Thiruvallur with a team of nurses and doctors. At Thoothukudi and Thiruvanamalai, Dr. Radha Sundaram and Dr. Ratinam Priya conducted the medical consultations for the teachers and staff.

During these sessions, teachers had their reports reviewed and health histories discussed. The doctors addressed their concerns like thyroid conditions, blood pressure management, menstrual health, post maternity care, and eating habits. At the closing session at Thiruvallur, Dr. Deepa informed the teachers on the requirement to do a precautionary HPV test which is now available in India. Asha has committed to adding this test to the list of blood tests to be done next year onwards.

These consultations provided valuable guidance and reassurance, ensuring that staff not only received their reports but also understood how to act on them for better long term health.

Blackboard painting work has been underway this month at several Asha‑supported schools. As part of Asha’s SPRINT projec...
06/02/2026

Blackboard painting work has been underway this month at several Asha‑supported schools. As part of Asha’s SPRINT project, which supports primary and middle school education, we take up the task of painting blackboards every year.

Freshly painted blackboards are more than just a cosmetic improvement, they are a critical teaching tool. Clear, well‑maintained boards help teachers present lessons effectively and ensure that students can follow along without strain. In many rural schools, blackboards are the primary medium of instruction, making their upkeep essential for quality learning.

By investing in this simple yet impactful initiative, Asha ensures that classrooms remain functional, welcoming, and conducive to learning, reinforcing our commitment to strengthening foundational education in underserved communities.

Under Asha’s Project Arogyam, Asha Chennai had been providing nutritional support to the poorest hamlets we work with ac...
05/02/2026

Under Asha’s Project Arogyam, Asha Chennai had been providing nutritional support to the poorest hamlets we work with across the Thiruvallur and Thoothukudi districts until last year. With the rollout of the government’s breakfast and midday meal schemes, the project was scaled back and then stopped.

Earlier this year, during the Asha India Conference, a program was held at Vasantham Nagar, and there we got several requests from parents in the community to restart this program. Later Asha distributed 30 sets of mats, blankets, and pillows to families in this Irula hamlet. The community once again requested the same from us. Following these, Asha decided to restart its mini-school and nutrition programme at this location.

In 2025, we have revived the initiative at three locations that were part of Asha’s mini-school model during the COVID period. Nutrition support has resumed at Vasantham Nagar, Thirupakkam, and the Anna Nagar Library in Thiruvallur district, areas where Asha continues to run mini schools or libraries for children from the most economically disadvantaged communities.

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First Floor, 85/2, Luz Avenue, Bhaskarapuram, Mylapore
Chennai
600004

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

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