Why Aschiana?
Our Philosophy
Many
people ask the question ‘Why don’t these children attend a
government school?’ The children that attend ASCHIANA are providing
an income for their families. Many of these children have lost a
parent/s and become the main income earner for the family. The work
that they do on the streets shoe polishing, selling of small items,
burning incense etc generates an average income of 1000afs (USD 20)
a month. This amount is not enough to feed a family, leaving
no money to provide the essential items that are needed to attend
school such as books, clean clothes and shoes.
ASCHIANA provides pens, paper and textbooks in addition to soap,
toothpaste and clothing for the children, with every child receiving
a basic meal at lunch. Classes operate in two shifts, morning and
afternoon. This allows the children to receive and education while
at the same time being able to continue to earn an income for their
families.
Due to the policies of past governments these children have been
deprived of access to education, so children having learning levels
well below their actual age. It is the aim of the staff at
ASCHIANA to get the children to a level, both educationally and
socially, so that they may integrate into a government school and
complete their education or for older children enter a vocation.
ASCHIANA
also provides access for their students to Health Professionals,
each centre has access to a Doctor once a week and each centre has a
full time Social Worker to assist in the mental health development
of the children and liaise with their families.
In keeping with ASCHIANA’s policy of a well rounded education the
children also participate in a physical education program. For
many of the female students’ being within the walls of ASCHIANA is
the only opportunity they have to engage in this kind of activity.
Volleyball is one of the more popular activities amongst both boys
and girls.