Kathiawar Balashram – a Children‘s Home in India

Shri Kathiawar Nirashrit Balashram is a children’s home in Rajkot, a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It was founded about 90 years ago, to assist and provide shelter for orphan children who were suffering because of famines. 

Over the many years since its foundation the Balashram has experienced many ups and downs – including the severe earthquake which hit the region early this year. The founders‘ intention was to build a model orphanage for unwanted and destitute children. Today’s Balashram can be proud of having reached this ideal. 

 
 Happy children at Kathiawar Balashram

"Wise parents allow their children to make mistakes. 
Sometimes it is good to burn your fingers. "
Mahatma Gandhi

At the moment the Balashram accommodates about 280 children of all ages from one day to 23 years. Most of the children who have found a new home here are girls, since they are particularly disadvantaged in Indian society. All the children have one thing in common; they have experienced sorrow and deprivation at an early age.

Playing in the Balashram courtyard

"Not to be afraid to be human
is the most important thing in life."
Pablo Casals

Asmita und Tejal: They were found begging in front of a temple. Asmita was about two years old, and Tejal a baby of nine months. Every evening their father came to collect them; he had trained them to beg. His wife had recently died. The Balashram offered to take the children into the home. Now their father visits them regularly and is happy to see how well they are developing. 

Tritesh: His parents had put out one of his eyes so that he would arouse more sympathy as a beggar. When he was brought to the Balashram, a doctor found that his other eye and his brain had also been damaged. He has very poor sight and is slightly mentally handicapped.

At daily prayers

"If you want to understand people,
you have to hear the things they don’t say."
John Powell

The children’s home does not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion or ethnic origin. Its objective is to provide a home in the true sense of the word for orphans and for women and girls rejected by society – women and girls who are expecting or have borne illegitimate children.

The Balashram helps the boys to find their place in society by providing them with opportunities for work and training, while the adult girls are integrated by finding suitable husbands for them. 

The Home's staff tries to heal the children's physical and psychological wounds with much love and patience. Each child is given duties and responsibilities appropriate to its age - helping with cleaning or food preparation. The older girls help to care for the younger children, thus preparing them for their role as housewife and mother. 

"Strength does not come from physical power,
but from an unbendable will"
Mahatma Gandhi

The children in the Balashram are given every opportunity to develop mentally, spiritually and physically, so that they can live happily and face the future with confidence. The Balashram provides schooling from kindergarten level up to matriculation. It also offers lessons in sewing and knitting, musical and cultural activities, a health and family welfare centre and scout and guide activities. All these activities are carried out by and under the supervision of trained personnel. 

All children are educated according to their talents and then receive vocational training. When they are in a position to stand on their own feet or to marry, they leave the Balashram. 

Lessons on a stone floor

Sometimes we can give without loving.
We cannot love without giving.

Each year, the Balashram celebrates the marriage of several adult girls - 200 in the last 20 years. The wedding day is a proud day for all involved. All prominent members of Rajkot society are invited. The   ‚Kanyadan‘ ceremony is performed each year by different married couples from Rajkot. The brides receive gifts from various firms, associations and private donors. 

Another major activity is adoption placement. Each year the adoption program places 12 to 14 children with new families - a total of about 250 children over the last 20 years. Adoptions have become so popular that there are also enquiries from abroad, e.g. from the USA, Germany, France, UK and Switzerland.  In the last 16 years 90 children were adopted by foreign families. The Balaschram keeps in touch with the children until they have settled down and no problems are to be expected. 

All these activities are only possible thanks to generous donations from at home and abroad, and through grants from the Indian government. Constant increases in costs force the Balashram to ask for more donations, so that it can cope with rising expenses. 

The Balashram children live close together in simple conditions, but they all strive towards a better tomorrow.  Their hopes for the future rest on their many friends and benefactors. They have all helped to dry tears, feed hunger and relieve need - but most of all, they have provided love and stability for a lonely child. The management of the Balashram can only rise to the enormous challenge because you, dear friends and supporters, have helped generously, again and again.