What began as a small makeshift classroom in Vrindavan, India, has grown into a sanctuary for 150 children like Aman. Today, with more still waiting, the need to expand their school building has become urgent.
With anxious eyes wandering about, a boy in dust-kissed clothes walked down a pothole-filled lane. Yashoda, an American woman who had just moved her entire life to Vrindavan, India, smiled at him and, in a few broken Hindi words, invited him into a makeshift classroom with twelve other young boys and girls. He did not know what to expect, but there was a quiet hope that he might learn something—perhaps even imagine a life beyond his small roadside shelter of tarps. That was in 2020.
Today, that same boy, Aman, is now twelve years old. The makeshift classroom has grown into a beautiful school of 150 students, called Bhakta Bandhava Gurukulam. Yashoda, now supported by a team of dedicated teachers, has created a sanctuary for underserved children who would otherwise not be given the chance for a better future. They receive free education, daily meals, medical assistance, and a well-rounded curriculum that blends academic and practical skills, grounded in spiritual values.
Life is still not easy for Aman. Each night, he works with his mother selling picture frames to local pilgrims until eleven or twelve o’clock at night. He struggles to wake up in the morning, yet the affection, encouragement, and knowledge he receives at school keep him coming back. He loves his schoolmates and he has dreams beyond the shop stand.
“I have a channel on YouTube right now, where I make shorts,” Aman shares in Hindi. “I wish one day to become a YouTuber and share what is here in my home of Braj. When I showed Yashoda Mataji, she told me how proud she was of me,” he says with a wide smile.
Aman’s story is not unique. Over the past five years, hundreds of children have flourished through Bhakta Bandhava Gurukulam. But today, the school has reached a critical limit. Classrooms are overcrowded, and children are being turned away simply because there is no space—something that is deeply heartbreaking for Yashoda and the staff.
“You don’t know what it is like to always be disregarded,” Yashoda says, wiping her eyes. “The change I see in these children’s faces—when they realize there are people who believe in them—has inspired me. Many will not go beyond high school; some will be married very young. It is critical they learn what they need here—not just to survive, but to thrive. That’s why they are given real, practical skills to build a future. We offer sewing classes, entrepreneurial workshops, art, music, and philosophy, alongside their academics.”
To continue and expand, we need to build a new schoolhouse with additional classrooms, a science lab, an assembly hall, and space for the children to play and grow. Our immediate goal is $25,000 to begin construction. This will allow us to welcome 350 additional students and expand education up to the 10th grade.
It takes a community to create lasting change. If Aman’s story has moved you, we invite you to become part of this journey. Your support helps us care for the children we serve today and opens the door for those still waiting.
You can make a difference.
• $20/month helps provide daily meals for a childWith your help, more children like Aman will have the chance not only to dream, but to build a future.
To donate: Monthly or one-time contributions can be made here:
