On Tuesday 16th April 2013, Australian Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Bernard Philip visited the Asha community center in Dr. Ambedkar slum colony. He was accompanied by Ms. Alexas Mcleod, Member of Committee, Direct Aid Programme, Ms. Caitlin Bell, Second Secretary (Political), Australian High Commission and Ms. Genevieve Clune. The group was welcomed with great warmth by Dr. Kiran Martin, slum residents and members of the Asha team.
Mr. Philip’s visit was particularly focused on getting to know more about the work of Asha and the life of people living in the slums. He had an interactive exchange with the members of Asha’s women’s and children’s groups in Dr. Ambedkar slum colony and was pleased to hear the stories of transformation that has taken place in their lives. Keen to know more about their living conditions, he asked a lot of questions about their day to day lives from the food they had to their interest in films and sports and the challenges they faced in the slum environment.
Mr. Philip was particularly delighted to meet with the college and high school students who are a part of Asha’s Higher Education and Internship Programmes. Babita, a college student spoke about her experience of interning with the Australian High Commission last year and shared how helpful it has been for her. Mr. Philip spoke warm words of encouragement to the students and said he was proud of the relationship between his country and Asha and hoped that many more students would benefit out of this.
His words of encouragement to the community greatly uplifted their spirits. Asha hopes to be able to continue the wonderful relationship it has with the High Commission and would like to thank the Hon’ble Deputy High Commissioner for visiting the community in Dr. Ambedkar slum.