Aghor Guru Sewa Peeth

It is a place for abandoned and orphaned children to stay, grow and get educated. Bal Ashram currently provides a supportive home to 20 children ages 2 through 17. In a nurturing group setting, the kids get food, housing, and a good education.

A stunning temple, a garden, a yoga and meditation hall, and guest rooms are all located on the premises. In addition to the younger Bal Ashram students, our neighbouring Anjali School provides local street children with an excellent basic education. The ashram's older kids go to private secondary schools in the area.

Project Shakti is motivating and uplifting an ever-growing number of poor women in the holy city of Varanasi, India. Project Shakti, located within the Bal Ashram premises, provides microloans for vocational training to young women whose families cannot afford to send them farther in school and teaches practical skills to women in need.

We have already been exceeded by the vocational training programme since the start of Project Shakti in 2009. There are now 60 ladies registered in various classes, ranging in age from:

• Preparing little foods (such as marketable pickles and dry bread)
• Stitching and tailoring
• The craft of home décor

The seminars are giving women the tools they need to get good careers and support themselves. Some women have already started to supplement the income of their families by selling their goods and services locally.