Harmony Thru Education – In India, children with special needs are often considered a burden to their families. Harmony Through Education, a Maryland nonprofit, is working to reverse that, and has established a school in Dharamsala, India, for children with mental and physical challenges. The school provides instruction in math, reading, and writing, augmented by vocational and life skills training, and speech and language therapy. These help special-needs children develop self-esteem and employable skills, so they can reach their full potential and contribute to their families and communities. The school also sponsors a Special Olympics team, and provides health education programs for families. In addition, Harmony Through Education provides teacher training, to build the special education infrastructure that now is lacking.
The MurthyNAYAK Foundation provided a grant to pay full tuition costs for 10 Harmony students for one year. An additional grant from the MurthyNAYAK Foundation will feed two nutritious meals a day to all 19 students at the Harmony Through Education school in Dharamsala. For breakfast, the school serves tea, a wheat-based flatbread or chapatti, and curd. Lunches consist of rice, lentils, chapattis, and locally-grown organic vegetables. These carefully-balanced meals instill healthy eating habits, and help students to stay focused on their studies.