Asha means ‘Hope’ in Hindi…

Recently I came across an incredible charity. After a couple of initial meetings, I knew that I wanted to do my best to help the charity, which is called Asha, meaning ‘hope’ in Hindi.

https://asha-india.org/global-friends-of-asha/asha-gb/

I am incredibly proud to have been recently appointed an Ambassador for Asha. I see my role as two-fold:

Raise awareness for the charity’s incredible work and the need for further support and fundraising.
Play a part in helping to directly raise funds for Asha, through the UK arm of the charity, Friends of Asha GB.

Delhi has a population of 19 million, with 4 million of those people living in slums. Here’s a thumbnail sketch of the amazing work which Asha is responsible for:

Asha is a hands-on Indian charity that does transformative work in the slums of Delhi. For the last 30 years it has improved the lives of the urban poor with sustainable interventions in healthcare, infrastructure, women’s empowerment, financial inclusion and education. From its origins in one slum in the south of the city, it now works in around 70 communities reaching over 700,000 people. In the last ten years, it has focussed on higher education and amazingly it has secured places at Delhi University for over 2000 young people from the slums so far. With mentoring support and internship opportunities, these young people are now gaining jobs with top-flight corporates like PWC, Macquarie and Rio Tinto…changing not only their futures but also that of their whole family.

In 2018, Amanda Clegg and Victoria Byrne (pictured) co-wrote a cookbook called Hope & Spice, to help raise awareness and funds for the charity. It is a unique collection of authentic recipes and stories about the women of the Asha communities. Brought to life with vivid photography throughout, it has proved popular at events and on Amazon UK, but deserves a wider audience. All profits go to Asha (www.asha-india.org ).

Amanda and Victoria are now seeking new ways to promote Hope & Spice and to give a wider voice to a set of remarkable women. They are often invisible in their own society, but deserve a platform and a better future.

I have teamed up with Amanda and Victoria to host our inaugural supper club, which is being held on 22 November 2019. I will be making some of the wonderful recipes from Hope and Spice.

If you would like to find out more and join us on the evening, we have a few tickets left, which you can buy at Eventbrite.co.uk (search Hope and Spice). Below is an outline of what to expect on the evening, to whet your appetite:

How will it work?

7:30pm Doors open – Welcome drink on arrival (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)

Cash bar available all evening (including wine, beer and soft drinks)

8pm Food served

Some brief news from Asha

Christmas shopping! ‘Hope & Spice’ cookbook on sale, and other gifts.

10.30pm Event ends.

What’s on the menu?

Starter: Samosa chaat (or gluten-free dhokla)

Main course:
Aromatic chicken curry. (Vegan/vegetarian: stuffed aubergines)
Muttar paneer (or vegan option)
Aloo beans
Black dal
Served with cumin rice, chapatis (or gluten-free makki ki roti) chutneys and raita

Dessert: Carrot halwa with citrus ice cream (or vegan option)