Balagrama · home for boys

“There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul
than the way in which it treats its children.”

Nelson Mandela

Balagrama, -as the name suggests – Bala- meaning -Child and Grama meaning- Village, is a ‘how to live’home for the village children. This home is 4000 sq ft, and was built with a view to bringing the boys and girls from troubled homes in the villages to give them the support to rise above their present state, to take over the reins of their village and bring the much needed change.

Most of elder boys in the village are dropouts and follow the footsteps of their elders, of drinking and gambling and not caring for their families and this prompted us to do something for the children, and hence Balagrama was born. We brought 9 boys in 2017 June from various homes in the villages which needed help to bring up the boys. The boys are initiated into Yoga, Prayer, meditation, and are encouraged to participate in the social activities of the Trust along with their studies in the local schools.

Balagrama boys
Balagrama boys
Balagrama boys
Balagrama boys

Study Group

Today’s children are the future citizens of a successful nation. Hence Punarnava Trust believes that the children of the villages should have opportunities for a better future.

Starting in 2012, every evening from 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm volunteers of Punarnava host a study group in the village, where children from the Government school at Rottigoundanur can come to learn.

Study Group
Study Group
Study Group
Study Group

Summer Camp

“Children are like wet cement whatever falls on them makes an impression.”
– Haim Ginott

Every year after the annual exams, children of local villages participate in a 10-day long summer camp organized by Punarnava Trust.

The students stay in Vaidyagrama/Balagrama during the period, waking up enthusiastically at 5 am, learning and practicing prayer, pranayama and Yoga during the morning hours as well as practicing Ayurvedic Dinacharya along with the vaidyas. They undergo value training, play educative games, learn art, craft, natural farming etc. that help them to develop self confidence, leadership skills, team spirit etc.

Here is the number of children who have participated in these camps:

Year 2014: 28
Year 2015: 36
Year 2016: 33
Year 2017: 65
Year 2018: 65
Year 2019: 68

Summer Camp
Summer Camp
Summer Camp
Summer Camp

Ayurveda Therapist Training

A sustainable community also offers special skills to its members, which enable them to be productive. The aim of Punarnava Ayurveda Institute is to provide opportunities for eligible members of the community to get trained in Ayurveda Therapy so that they can become professionals.

Punarnava Ayurveda Institute, conducts 6-month certificate course and a 1-year diploma in Ayurveda Therapy intended to provide jobs to the youth in the villages. This is offered free for the village children by finding sponsors for their education. Cost of training is Rs 27,500 per student.

16 year old Vintha from Rottigoundanur village after passing school final exam has joined the Ayurveda Therapy course at Punarnava Ayurveda Institute. Her aim is to be a professional therapist and encourage the youth in the village to follow suit. She is also a Trust volunteer helping in the study centre every evening as well as tending to the vegetable garden in her spare time.

Ayurveda Therapist Training
Ayurveda Therapist Training
Ayurveda Therapist Training
Summer Camp

Higher Education

“The main hope of a nation lies in the
proper education of its youth..”

– Erasmun

At Punarnava, we believe that every member of the community has to get the opportunity to study as much as possible since education is the light that paves the way to make great strides in life which then leads to make the universe a better place for the future generations to live.

Meritorious young people from the villages are encouraged to study and the Trust arranges sponsors for their college education.

Beneficiaries as of date:

Ms. Deepa, Rs 60,000 | Teachers Training Course
Mr. Mahesh, Rs 13,000 | 3rd year fees, Bachelors degree, local university
Ms. Kaleeswari, Rs 30,000 | 4th Semester fees, MBA
Ms. Sandhya, Rs 72,000 | BSc. Maths
Mr. Alagu Jagan, Rs 44,000 | BSc. IT

Would you like to get involved?