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Karm Marg

Veena, of Karm Marg, shares her vision and hope for the home she has nurtured since 1997. She confides the name, Karm Marg, is taken from the Bhagavad Gita and means "Path of Work." It implies that nothing can be achieved without hard work.

"Children are the future for our tomorrow, and it is very disheartening to see homeless children in the streets shabby conditions. They are either involved in activities like rag picking, begging, selling newspapers and magazines on the street. Some mislead ones earn and live by pick pocketing, drug peddling and other questionable activities without any vision or hope for the future. They should be studying, playing and having fun.

"With a mission to give street kids hope, a home, and a sense of pride, my friend Dev and I decided to open a children's home where they can share their happiness and sorrows, and live with dignity.

"Karm Marg was established in 1997 and over the years, it has become a home run by children with the guidance, supervision, love and affection of friends walking with them. Karm Marg provides children not only a home, but also education, medical care, food, and counseling. Extra-curricular activities include regular outings, and participation in sports, music, theater, and art workshops are also offered to help develop their individual interests and talents.

"In order to help support the home, Karm Marg produces a range of eco-friendly products. We offer vocational programs to women artisans from the neighboring village, who work on daily wages bases. Children in our home who have reached the age of 16 are also invited to participate in these vocation programs. The idea of the vocational training is not only to learn skills, but also develop self-esteem, confidence and to explore their creativity.

"To stimulate environmental consciousness, we emphasize the use of discarded materials such as newspaper, waste and recycled clothes, waste wood and scrap metal. Our artisans are so creative they use these materials such as carry bags, hand bags, albums, dairies, greetings cards, pouches, picture frames, stationeries and others.

"Over the last ten years, we have been participating in Nature Bazaar, as well as other art exhibits.

"There are about 12 fulltime artisans who have grown-up with us, and are now working as paid staff. Right now, Karm Marg is home to about 60 kids. They are also encouraged to get back together with their parents, if they so wish. We also give counseling to their parents, and so far 35 children have gone back to their homes to be united with their parents."