On 10 January 2026, the Asha family came together to wish Nancy a heartfelt farewell. Nancy is an Asha student from the Peeragarhi slum, and her journey is now taking her across the world to pursue a Masters degree at the University of Melbourne.
Nancy has been awarded the Melbourne Scholars India Equity Scholarship, which fully covers her education and living expenses for the entire course. She will be in Australia for one and a half years. With this step, she becomes the first Asha student to pursue a Masters degree at the University of Melbourne. It is a moment of great pride for her community and for everyone at Asha.
The farewell ceremony was filled with warmth and emotion. There were smiles, quiet tears and moments of reflection. Asha staff, alumni ambassadors and students from different centres gathered to celebrate Nancy and to bless her as she stepped into a new chapter of her life.
Nancy comes from a family where opportunities were limited. Her mother works as a house help and her father as a daily wage labourer. Her parents shared that sending their daughter abroad for higher education was once something they never dared to imagine. Standing at the ceremony, they spoke with emotion about how that impossible dream had become real. "Our daughter's life has changed and so has ours because of Asha" they said.
Nancy spoke with calm confidence. She shared her hope that her journey would encourage other Asha students to believe in themselves and keep moving forward. Echoing Dr Kiran's words, she said, "The sky is your limit".
From a shy young girl to a confident young woman ready to face the world Nancys journey is not hers alone. It reflects Dr Kiran's vision and Asha's continued commitment to opening doors that once felt out of reach.
