In the state of Odisha in India, there is a residential school, named the Hariharananda Balashram, that educates impoverished children from the ages of 4 to 18 years old; it presently takes care of over 540 orphaned children. Each April, another 40 children are chosen to join the Balashram school. Funds are needed to keep the school running and providing a home for these innocent children.

This November, I will be trekking in the indigenous region of this state in India in order to raise awareness and money for this special place. Your generous donation will help change the lives of so many in India—a country that has the highest number of orphaned children in the world (30 million). Only 1% of these children are enrolled in a Child Care Institution (CCI) like the Balashram so this work is very important.

Your donation goes directly to Hand in Hand USA, the American-based charity organization that supports the Balashram. Hand in Hand USA is run by volunteer service. 95% of donations go directly to the projects themselves. The organization scores 100% on Key Accountability Metrics on Charity Navigator. More information on the charity can be found here: https://handinhandusa.org/.

For more information about the Balashram School, please go to https://www.hariharanandabalashram.org and to see a short video please go to https://youtu.be/-rnMzDA1Cak.

Each year, 40 new students are enrolled into pre-kindergarten and educated through 10th grade; they are selected from extremely impoverished situations and are either homeless or come from homes with parents who have no means to support the child. Located on 11 acres surrounded by lush green paddy fields and picturesque rural villages, children are housed, clothed, fed and educated up to high school level, free of charge. The faculty utilizes the best Eastern and Western methods of teaching to create a dynamic and loving environment for the children’s development. Its holistic approach provides a balanced and nurturing foundation for the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth of each child. Students are also encouraged to participate in a wide array of extra-curricular activities, including dance, drama, music, field trips, and volunteer opportunities.