Children in Need
Millions of children and families have been devastated by natural disasters, poverty and forced migration in Orissa, one of India’s poorest states. After the super-cyclone blasted Orissa's coast in 1999, years of drought, flooding and even more cyclones have left Orissa with thousands of destroyed villages, countless casualties and virtually no social services. Among the living, the surviving children have been hit the hardest, left without basic care or the opportunity for an education.
Who will support Orissa's impoverished children, and give them a foundation for the future?
More than a Dream
On a rainy day in September 2002, over one hundred educators from Orissa gathered in an old building under a tarpaulin roof to dream and plan for the little ones of Orissa...
Almost two years later, on July 29, 2004, Hariharananda Balashram was founded with the support of
Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, whose love for children and education has translated the educators' dream into a reality. This nonsectarian school is named after his beloved master, Paramahamsa Hariharananda, who educated and cared for many poor children during his life.
The school is located on 11 acres in the beautiful little village of Arua, surrounded by lush green paddy land, mud huts and picturesque rural villages. Arua is in the Kendrapara District of Orissa, India.
Today, Hariharananda Balashram houses 280 children of Orissa who receive quality care and a Certified Board of Secondary Education education free of charge. The school is a Nursery – X Standard, co-educational, residential home and school that blends academic excellence with values-based education.
The school prepares students for higher studies and offers vocational and life skills training so that students are well-equipped to assume a meaningful role in society. Forty children are admitted each year, ages 3 ½ to 4 ½, and in 2012 the school will reach its capacity of 480 students.
Guided by a commitment to excellence, Hariharananda Balashram utilizes the best eastern and western methods of education 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 the child. The school helps each child reach his or her highest potential.
The school encourages every student to dream of the life that they choose and to make it a reality. The school logo, reflecting this spirit, proclaims Make Your Dream A Reality.
Below is a short video presentation about Hariharananda Balashram, which was made on
2006-2007.
On January 26th, the entire student body of Balashram took part in a parade to honor the national recognition of Indian law. Marching to the rhythm of drumbeats, a flag was hoisted by the chief guest, Shri Abhimanyu Padhihari, who is the Block Regional Centre Coordinator SSA. 
140 students in standards 1 through 3 traveled to the zoological park, Nandankanan, for their annual field trip. They were accompanied by their principal, 8 teachers, 9 caretakers, 2 brahmacharis and 2 brahmacharinis. 
On Jannuary 15th, children from standards 3, 4 and 5 traveled to Puri in order to perform at the International Kriya Yoga Seminar. For more than two hours the children, dressed in beautiful Indian dance costumes, demonstrated their talent in dance, singing and tabla playing. 
On December 27th and 28th, the Balashram students had the opportunity to demonstrate their sports skills during the 6th Balashram Annual Games. For this event, the field in front of the cowshed was transformed into a beautiful sports arena for track and field competitions. 
Cycling began in a response to a private donation of 20 new bicycles. As a result, it has been added to the weekend and holiday schedule of Standard 5 students. This is the first time that the children of Balashram are involved in an activity off campus. The students are extremely enthusiastic about this new sport!
Hariharananda Balashram.flv
Hariharananda Charitable Health Centre.flv