The Asswin Project was founded by Jean and Bob Harrison in 2005 to help equines, mainly hard working, injured, sick and neglected donkeys, in and around the outskirts of Delhi, India. However, no animal is excluded by this caring couple and at any time the shelter has both large and small animals. In fact, Jean and Bob are no strangers to the terrible plight of animals in this region as they have been helping animals here since 1994 improving animal welfare standards. They are a truly inspirational couple, now in their seventies, and living alone without much amenities or help, in order to help the needy animals while also creating awareness on best practices for equine welfare. The charity has always struggled for funds and has only a shoestring budget mainly comprising of the pensions of these lovely people.

The last two months (June and July 2018) have been severely distressing and trying times for Jean & Bob and the charity. The shelter needs to be relocated as the present land belonging to MCG has been handed over for development. After much struggle an ideal piece of land was identified and planning for relocation initiated. Jean & Bob’s lovely daughter Virinia, who spent much of her time helping out with Asswin Project and wanted to eventually support full time, passed away suddenly late June. Just having returned after having completed the funeral and other requirements, the couple are trying to put all their effort behind a successful relocation while picking the pieces after the loss of Virinia.

Jean and Bob have devoted their whole lives - their time, effort, labour and pensions - to helping animals in the most difficult of circumstances. A typical day even today will see this couple working a minimum of twelve hours providing emergency help to animals! The charity works every day of every week and visit numerous construction sites, brick kilns and encampments to give treatment and care to suffering equines and to endeavor to educate their owners, and their families, in methods of how to best care for their animals. As if all this isn't enough they also respond to calls from the community, police and the fire service to help animals that have been involved in road accidents.

The average shortfall in funds is about Rs. 200,000 per month resulting in massive outstanding of bills of vets, shelter suppliers, etc. In order to ensure staff salaries are met in time, the couple end up sacrificing their already austere lifestyle.

This very lean team of Jean & Bob, supported by the limited shelter staff, need all our support. Volunteers, donors, individuals all need to come together to help Asswin Project’s shelter relocation to the new site – Virinia’s Haven – a success, while providing a cushion of funds for atleast one year’s successful operation.