A fair trade organization, Asha represents more than 6,500 artisans in 10 states of India. The association’s name, meaning "hope" in Sanskrit, represents its goal to sustain the marketing ability of individual and family–based artisans. A not–for–profit organization, Asha works to ensure that benefits of handicraft production reach the craftspeople themselves. Asha promotes sustainability and helps eliminate producer debt through direct purchases and advance payments. Producer benefits include educational assistance for children, medical checkups and treatment, a health center at Saharanpur, savings programs for artisans and spouses, nonformal education projects and relief–related social projects. Ten Thousand Villages has purchased products from Asha since 1976.