The Aasha Build team comprises 14 members, with diverse backgrounds, experiences and motivation. The commitment of each member to the cause of The Aasha Build is both commedable and inspiring.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
“The Aasha Build gives me the opportunity to offer help to those who haven’t been lucky enough to have the same opportunities as I have. The easiest thing to do would be to just give them money but the objective of this project goes beyond that, by building houses that act as not only a roof over their heads but a tangible means of livelihood for most of them. Most importantly, my motivation behind this was to bring in a team of people to experience and learn what it is like for the residents of the slums, to witness the issue of poverty firsthand and to be motivated to do something on a more long term basis. “
- Anupama Shekhar, Team Leader
Last year, I led an overseas community service project to the Phillipines and my experience made me realize that there is nothing as fulfilling as helping to make a difference in the lives of others. I am very excited that this path I’ve chosen is now leading me back to my own country. Somewhere deep within, I know that The Aasha Build is going to change not only the lives of the people in Devanahalli, but also my own, and I can’t wait.
- Elizabeth Vazhappilly
“Since high school I have been involved in working with the community to serve the less fortunate. While the previous few times it was extrinsically motivated, this time around it feels good to be working on an initiative that comes genuinely from the heart. The Aasha Build is our chance of building hope; and delivering the promise of sustainable homes to the slum dwellers. I am excited about getting my hands dirty and working with people who are as passionate as I am; to cherish the fruits of our labour.”
- Kritika K. Singh
“The Aasha Build, to me, is my first step in a world where change comes from initiative, and opportunity & time have to be created. I am convinced that if each person in our society could believe that he has the power to make a difference, the world would indeed be a different place. The Aasha Build is our chance to change lives, one family at a time. Somewhere, some child is praying for a home, and some mother is praying for her child’s wishes, and here we are, doing all we can to grant them. It sure feels good 
“
- Shivya Nath
“The Aasha Build has given me an opportunity to break away and explore life in a world different, yet not distant, from our own, a world that thrives on courage, a world that we have a lot to learn from. I have realized, over the course of this project, the ability that all of us harbour within, to bring about positive change without much effort. I hope to see this ability translating into meaningful action on the ground in May 2009. I don’t see the Aasha Build as a charitable cause that I am volunteering for, I see it as a valuable investment of my time with positive returns beyond measure. I hope this can become a sustainable initiative in the years to come!”
- Aditya Harneja
“ The Aasha Build makes me feel like I’m making a difference to someone, somewhere. At the end of the 14-day build, each of us is going to walk back with the satisfaction of knowing that we’ve given someone a home to live in. That we’ve touched some lives, and turned them around completely. We’re actually attempting to be the change we want to see in the world…my team is a constant souce of inspiration, the commitment I see in each one of them is a driving force in itself. It’s not going to be easy, but I know we’re going to make this happen. ”
- Radhika Kanuga
“With my university life almost coming to an end, what better time than now to give back to the society. Once you’re out in the work place, it becomes difficult to take time to do your bit for the community. Thus this was the perfect time for me to get involved with a community service project such as The Aasha Build. By giving these people a home, I believe we can make big difference to their lives and in the times to come…”
- Sumit Sharan
“I am keunbin Lee, in year 1, and an international student from Korea. Having a first summer break in Singapore, I wanted to have special experience that is something meaningful, enriching and long lasting in me as well as for the community. This project inspired me because I have never built houses or tried to buy them since my parents have always done those for me and I felt that it is time for me to understand people who don’t have their own home and to find why having homes is so important.”
- Keunbin Lee
“Having lived in Bangalore for almost all my life, there are numerous ways in which I associate myself with the city. This project was an ideal opportunity for me to give back to the city that gave me so much.”
- Deeptarka Hazra
“Want a CIP experience outside of singapore and on a global level. Hope to know more about the how an OCIP works. I also want to learn how to organise such an event and contribute on my own some time in the future.”
- Dharshni Suresh Kumar
“I am a final year Undergrad student from Singapore Management University. I believe this project gives me an opportunity to serve my community and make a positive contribution to the lives of the people in the slums. I’m looking forward to be part of “Aasha Build” and believe its truly going to be a life changing experience.”
- Vijay Vadlamani
“I am a fourth year student in the School of Accountancy with a second major in Corporate Communications. Throughout my education with SMU, I have been actively involved with supporting clubs and societies. However, recently I’ve felt this need to reach out to add value to someone else’s life, someone who could do with an extra pair of hands or financial aid. By helping build a home with The Aasha Build, I know I will be able to leave a long-lasting impact on the lives of a few families, let alone an individual. .”
- Parampreet Kaur
“The Aasha Build gives me the opportunity to travel to a country I’ve never visited, gain new experiences and give back to the community. I hope to learn from this experience and organise an overseas CIP trip in the future“
- Li Ling Ho
“I am a first-year undergrad and I believe The Aasha Build will serve as a meaningful start to my life at SMU. This project not only gives me the opportunity to improve the quality of life in a community but allows me to help someone step out of the poverty cycle as well. Through this experience, I hope to grow as an individual and gain insights on organising an OCIP.”
- Denise Loh
“I had interned in a microfinance company in India last year. The company took me to various villages across India, where they had their operations. Through these visits, I got to see a side of India which even I, as a person having lived most his life in India, had not seen. At that time, I felt that we really need to do more than we are currently, to somehow help these people. So in Aasha Build, I saw an opportunity, and decided to help out in whatever way I could.”
- Aditya Maru
“The Aasha Build is a great project which not only provides people with a
house but also gives them a life long lease on a better life. Families who will benefit from this project will be able to provide better for future generations, can have better health, and will be able to bring up their children in a more secure environment. This project gives me the opportunity to be help those who will help themselves. We help build the houses and we give them the opportunity to make it a home. Thus, knowning that I can play a part in helping someone have a better future is a great motivation for me to be a part of this project.”
– Ketaki Srivastava
Special thanks to Varun Agrawal (freshman, SMU) for lending his technical expertise to The Aasha Build team!
