The Miracle of the Balashram
To me the Balashram is like a miracle. I remember
well the green fields and rice paddies.
Irma Botero plays with
the Balashram children
The rural beauty of India, lying untouched
by centuries. And then the smiling faces
of children spring to my mind. As in a dream,
I see the first kindergarten group and how
quickly they adjusted to the wonderful opportunity
that opened up before them. Forty four-year
olds, divided almost equally into boys and
girls, with little white shorts or skirts
and red cardigans. They all had similar haircuts
but each was unique and different
From the very first visit I was struck by
how well-behaved these children were. At
the playground there was shouting and laughter
but at a moment’s notice, they became quietly
obedient. Their teachers and caretakers enjoyed
the quiet authority that comes in well-knit
relationships. It was obvious that these
children had found a home and a school at
the same time.
Ort des Wachstums
They lived in utter simplicity and yet were
well provided for. They slept in tiny beds
and eat the same vegetarian food. They learnt
to communicate in Oriya and basic English.
The children like the
visitors from Europe
They danced, played, did simple math and drew
pictures.They begun to assimilate values
and principles and no aspect of their education
was neglected.
The, in time, a second, third and fourth class
joined the original group. The children multiplied
and so did the teachers, caretakers, classrooms
and buildings, but the serenity and sense
of purpose remained untouched.
The Balashram is a place of growth. But not
only the children have grown here. Every
helping hand involved in this project has
grown with it. Hope makes people smile inwardly.
And this is a project full of hope. The Balashram
children have become part of us.
In the West, we have family in Indie. And
these Indian boys and girls have extended
families in Europe, the United States, brazil,
Colombia, Australia and New Zealand. It was
a spiritual and practical vision, which has
allowed each one of us to expand our hearts
and form a common bond. In that it is a miracle.
The Balashram is our miracle.
Irma Botero
