AI is a wonderful organization - one that really prioritizes its projects over the kind of self-serving administrative bureaucracy that plagues so many aid organizations. And there's such a lovely community of staff, volunteers, board members and supporters that makes volunteering fun!
The support provided by Asia Initiative has been really helpful in empowering women from marginalised communities by giving them an opportunity to advance their causes and explore their potential and capabilities. The support has encouraged women from the nearby villages to involve themselves in the activities and programmes organised to cater to their needs and address their concerns.
An amazing experience to work with such a wonderful team of professionals with blend of innovation thinking and social development understanding . The program design of Asia Initiatives enable us to fulfill the program objective of empowering the adolescents girls in more holistic manner. Unlike other development programs, the Asia Initiatives believes in Collaborative efforts bringing different agencies to the program to attain the objective holistically. In our program, Asia Initiatives has collaborated with other agencies to educate the girls on digital literacy, English speaking combined with social emotional learnings. The SoCCs component of Asia Initiatives that gives opportunity to the girls to earn social capital and use it for their well being has transfered the ownership to the girls. The girls having SoCCs points own the program resulting a quality delivery of the redemptions. The flexible approach of implementation of program is the key to motivate the partners to find feasible solutions of the challenges. During the COVID crisis, the innovative ways of connecting the girls with mentorship program "SoCCs Buddies" has immensely helped the girls to improve English speaking online at their own pace. We wish the benefit of SoCCs be reached to maximum possible communities to bring the changes in society and look forward to more such innovative models in future.
Fantastic organization!! I have been involved with the organization for the last 8 years and it is such a wonderful team of people working on the transformational ‘world changing idea’ of SoCCs(social capital credits) I have personally visited a lot of communities being supported by Asia Initiatives and know of positive impact of AI in empowering these under-served communities.
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Asia Initiatives has allowed several communities and organizations in India to reimagine the possibilities that exist within their own resources through the system of SoCCS. This has greatly helped various NGO's learn from AI and adopt this methodology to incentivize social good and yet get more hands on deck to uplift and empower the women and families as a part of it. Despite being located in NYC, they have been extremely hands-on with all their projects in India which helps with all the troubleshooting that might emerge when starting new projects. And, lastly, their partnerships with other organizations providing technical assistance and services has led to a huge network of social good get created which fosteres peer-to-peer metoring and knowledge sharing.
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Having been associated with Asia Initiatives over the past 4 years as a supporter, then a volunteer, and currently a junior board member, I have had an extremely enriching experience learning from the team at AI and supporting their amazing work in my hometown in Kolkata, India. Working under the mentorship of Geeta and the entire group, I have learnt about the power of supporting not just people, but entire communities, through the amazing SoCC Currency (social capital credits). I am a big believer in the values and beliefs of the organization around engaging with multi-sectoral youth to act as facilitators, who help women in communities to realize their full potential today and to help nurture children into responsible citizens of tomorrow.
AI is an innovative and inspiring organization making true grassroots change. Their work goes to the root of the cause and, in this way, seeks to establish lasting change. By working to uplift and educate underserved communities, AI is a strong example of the types of NGOs that are so needed in our time.
This is an organization with so much heart. The team is hard working, their methods are lean and innovative. I can trust that they have the communities that they are working in as top priority.
I have been involved with Asia Initiatives since 2008 and I have seen it grown over the years. The leadership at Asia Initiatives deeply cares about poverty alleviation and bettering communities. This passion also extends to its volunteers who also believe in its mission and the greater cause of poverty alleviation. In addition, AI believes in innovation through its creation of Social Capital Credits (SoCCs) which has been transforming communities through social good and making communities a stakeholder in their success. I believe in Asia Initiatives mission and methodology and their abilities to bring change to those who need it most.
Asia Initiatives team is very passionate about women's empowerment and sustainable development. Grateful to be working with an amazing team, partners, and volunteers who are committed to making real change happen in all our programs.
AI's work to empower women and their families in underserved communities across the world through its innovative Social Capital Credits (SoCCs) program is truly inspiring. Working with Dr. Geeta Mehta and the rest of the AI team has been an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience for me. I am very glad that I was given the opportunity to work alongside such incredible individuals, who continue to work tirelessly to improve the lives, well-being, and opportunities for marginalized communities around the world.
Working with Asia Initiatives has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Dr. Mehta and the rest of the team are always inspiring in their commitment to the work. As the co-chair of the Junior board for the last 2 years, I am proud to be given the opportunity to make a difference in so many lives around the world! Keep inspiring :)
As a supporter of Asia Initiatives (AI), I find AI's work with underprivileged communities inspiring and unique. AI team tackles and improves fundamental and complex issues with a true understanding of the community, a sincere compassion, and a sharp focus on women empowerment. Additionally, AI has pioneered a method called SoCCs or Social Capital Credits, a system that is not only creative but also encouraging and effective for the communities in need. With such commitment and insights, AI brings about long-lasting local improvements that also result in a powerful international impact. Ultimately, as a supporter of women's rights and sustainable development, I find AI's work incredibly valuable and I look forward to seeing more wonderful projects.
Asia Initiatives (AI) is truly an innovative organization. AI staff and volunteers operate on being culturally responsive, collaborative, and inclusive. AI's programs are all unique in that they responds to the needs of each community, while giving community members the tools and skill set they need to be successful.
As a volunteer, I am always impressed by the work. The leadership at AI continue to make me feel like a valued team member.
I have a lot of fun volunteering for Asia Initiatives. AI is a great nonprofit, and the SoCCs methodology is working very well in all of their projects. What I like the most about AI is how they put an emphasis on commmunity and sustainability. They make sure that the whole community is involved during the project and that the community itself will not need AI's help in 10 years time. AI do not just give money to the impoverished people, they take the time to listen and slowly uplift the communities they're in. If you want to change communities around the world for the better, join Asia Initiatives.
I’ve been involved with Asia Initiatives since 2014 and I am proud of the work we do. Have being part of the team for many years I can say with knowledge that the work that Asia Initiatives do is unique. The Social Capital Credits program, developed by Geeta Mehta the president and founder of this organization, is a brilliant way to develop indivuals and communities at the same time. I think it is relevant to share that Asia Initiatives assures to keep overhead to a minimum.
Three years ago I joined Asia Initiative, a non profit organization led by my favorite professor at Columbia University, Geeta Mehta. My experience there was great. The work they do at Asia Initiative is amazing by empowering communities especially women in less fortunate areas. Also the positive environment of the foundation itself provided by the on-coming volunteers, the junior & senior board members is phenomenal. Everyone shares a great amount of energy, positiveness and desire to help. All of this is a true reflection of Geeta herself and the continuous encouragement and warm she provide for all of us...
AI is an amazing organization and I am glad to be a part of it. One of the things that I like the most about AI is that it cares deeply about female empowerment and takes on projects that seem impossible to reach at first, but every time proves that it is never too hard to help people who are in need.
Asia Initiatives is unlike other nonprofits in three ways: 1) the focus on women means that their outcomes result in sustainable and measurable improvements to family well being. 2) they are piloting a transformational technology for philanthropy - SoCCs (Social Capital Credits) which recognizes that some areas can be rich in social capital while poor in wealth, and then aligns incentives for sustainable development. 3) the money donated goes 100% to the field, which means your dollars go further than in other organizations. Can't speak highly enough about this nonprofit - get involved today!