The ASK Group also believes in building a legacy of social progress. A legacy that empowers people and uplifts communities. This belief led to the genesis of ASK Foundation in 2008 - the corporate social responsibility arm of ASK Group.
The ASK Foundation works on developing livelihoods by collaborating with social entrepreneurs and NGOs by supporting them on a financial and capacity building basis to help scale and execute their ongoing projects.
Mission
To empower rural communities to be prosperous, self-reliant and develop communities
Vision
Enabling better livelihoods and increase infrastructure capacities of rural communities in India through development and enhancements of key resources such as Water, Agriculture & other means of Livelihoods, Education, Health & Sanitation, Financial Inclusion, Women Empowerment, Skill Development of Youth, and the Conservation of Biodiversity
OUR PROJECT
SAMRUDDHA KISAN INITIATIVE
We believe that comprehensive socio-economic development of villages will be a key driver of growth in India. Keeping this belief in mind, we have partnered with BAIF Institute for Sustainable Livelihoods and Development (BISLD) to work in the villages of Sayade, Jogalwadi, Karol and Pachghar in Mokhada Block, Palghar district, Maharashtra.
Through the Samruddha Kisan Initiative, ASK Foundation is focusing on the causes of Water, Agriculture & Livelihood, Education, Livestock Development, Health & Sanitation, Women Empowerment, Skill Development for Youth, Financial Inclusion, Community Development, and Promotion of Biodiversity.
OUR REACH
OUR INTERVENTIONS
The ASK Foundation worked with Social Entrepreneurs and NGOs so that 35 Hectare area was treated for water harvesting through bunding, counter trenching, etc. Thus, providing one of the fundamental necessities i.e. CLEAN WATER.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The ASK Foundation worked with its implementation partner supporting farmers on a financial wellbeing. The program included capacity building with greater access to techniques such as paddy cultivation and moisture cropping, vegetable, and jasmine cultivation; empowering them and entire communities.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The Agricultural and Livelihood initiative also encouraged villagers to adapt to alternative methods such as Wadi Cultivation (Two or more crops strategically selected for intercropping) and setting up plus assisting in the running of equipment banks and better livestock development practices empowering them and entire communities.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The ASK Foundation worked with its implementation partner supporting farmers by empowering them and entire communities in one of the village's ongoing Conservation efforts of the Sacred Forest (Devrai). Kitchen Gardens were also set-up to promote growth and consumption of nutritious food and minimise the exploitation of natural resources.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
474 children impacted through various educational initiatives To empower present & future generation of individuals and communities by enhancing reach and access to education, we collaborated with social entrepreneurs and NGOs, supporting them on a financial and capacity building basis in the following major projects:
The ASK Foundation works on developing livelihoods by collaborating with social entrepreneurs and NGOs, supporting them on a financial and capacity building basis, empowering individuals and communities.
Programme initiated to make digital banking accessible to villagers at their doorstep.
23 Home Visit was made and over 160 Farmers were benefited by E-Dost
Under our Educational initiative, we began the 'Password' campaign, a subscription-based education program that supplements the existing education system. Magazines in the local language ie Marathi are given to the students to promote the habit of reading. These are aimed at standard 5 to 10 and cover topics on environment, civic matters, democratic values, scientific temperament, poems, stories, general knowledge, current affairs, etc
400 children from 4 schools benefited from Password program promoting the habit of reading. These magazines will go into the library and be passed on to future batches going forward.
As part of the ongoing developmental work towards providing better living condition, capacity building, empowering individuals and communities, our initiative of Enhancing Infrastructure resulted in:
The year 2020 has been a challenging year for humanity with a worldwide pandemic that brought our lives to a halt. During this time ASK Foundation wanted to contribute on the ground where impact could be real, hence we partnered with Indian Development Foundation (IDF). The objective of this project was to augment the infrastructure at Holy Spirit Hospital, Mumbai (Andheri-E) with additional Ventilators & High Flow Nasal Oxygen Machines at their ICU at a commitment of Rs. 1 crore. Through our CSR initiative, 9 Ventilators and 3 High Flow Nasal Oxygen Machines were installed. This helped the hospital staff fight COVID on a daily basis.
As of February 2021, the ventilators have benefited 244 patients and the High Flow Nasal Oxygen Machine installed have benefited 47 patients.
Our initiative will continue to help the hospital staff fight COVID and will help save many more lives in the years to come. To know more, view the video.
Cyclone Nisarga ravaged multiple districts of Maharashtra causing massive damage to crops and infrastructure. Seeing this immense need, ASK Foundation decided to respond by supporting the restoration of education institutions.
Accordingly, 6 institutions in Mangaon & Srivardhan Blocks of Raigad District were identified and we worked with our partner Vanarai to refurbish and restore them. Through this initiative, 910 students will benefit and given the good quality of repair work, it will sustain for a long period of time.
Additionally, ASK Foundation also supported repairs of the Gram Panchayat office which is now fully operational.
