Fr. Joe
Founder of Aasara.

Q.Tell us something about yourself ?
A. I have completed my graduation from Binani college, Mazgaon. From then onwards I developed a keen interest in helping all the needy people. After my graduation I worked as a marketing executive for 15 years. Then I joined the seminary and studied for 9 years.

Q. Since when are you involved with Aasara?
A. I have been with Aasara since 1992 onwards.

Q. How did Aasara start?
A. In 1991 we had carried out a survey in which we came across many social issues relating to child labor, women exploitation, etc. That was how we intended to do something and thus Aasara was born.

Q. What services does Aasara provide?
A. We help children by teaching them how to read and write, give shelter to those who have ran away from home and teach them that whatever they did was wrong and ask them to go back to their parents, we conduct free health check-ups for various diseases, we fight against women exploitation, child labor and child abuse. We rescue small children from the prisons and remand homes and many other services are provided. .
Q. Who inspired you to start Aasara?
A. As I was interested in helping all the needy my professors and fellow priests asked me to start a community center which would be based on education, women's issue, child labor, etc. This is how Aasara had come up.

Q. What is your future plans for Aasara?
A. Aasara intends to have a full time shelter for street girls in the age group of 10-16, Vocational training center for street boys and girls, Opening of other centers/shelter in other important states and also opening up of de-addiction centers for street children.

Q. Are you involved with any social work organization other than Aasara?
A. Yes, I am involved with many other organizations in Sahar. The priests have started about seven mahila mandals in which these women make many things which they sell and earn some amount, we also organize the civic and political cell which is known as advance locality management in coordination with Agni this takes care about the development of the area, career guidance, health cell and placement cell..

Q. Any message for Thaneites?
A. If you see any child lost, begging for food, abused, sick and no one to help him or someone needs to be spoken to in times of distress then please do call the toll free number 1098 and we will reach out to you within 45 minutes. Please do come and visit our street children at our shelter and you will be stunned to see that they can be transformed and live like a normal child.

As told to Thaneweb.com