Our Mission

Baale Mane works to empower disadvantaged girls by providing a home, education and holistic development to girls from rural communities surrounding the city of Bangalore,India.

All of our girls attend school, in English medium if they have the aptitude or experience at the time that they join us. After school and pre university college, girls attend higher education or vocational training and we provide continued support until each girl is able to live a self-sustaining adult life.

Formal school education is supplemented through a wide variety of programmes, including girls’ rights awareness, life skills, job readiness sessions, sports and creative expression classes. In delivering these programmes we are supported by a wide variety of partner organisations.

Support is tailored to each individual girl’s needs. Many of our girls have experienced trauma in early life and professional counselling support is provided where needed.

The girls performing Dollu Kunitha, a traditional folk dance.

Baale Mane was founded in 2001 by the Paraspara Trust, an Indian NGO.  The idea arose from the desperate need to help eradicate child labour and children living on the streets.

In 2007, Baale Mane was registered as an Independent Trust. At the same time The Friends of Baale Mane Gopalapura was registered in the UK as an independent charity. The aim was to secure land in Gopalapura to build a permanent and safe home for girls from 6 years upwards, while providing them with formal education and developmental support.

The Baale Mane moved to its new home in 2009.

Beginning small with only a few girls, it has now grown to provide a home for up to 50, with continuing care for those in higher education who have left the Baale home. We also have a strong Alumni network.

Oota Stories is our online journal that feature recipes and stories from the women, girls and friends of Baale Mane. We aim to encourage people across the world to cook our traditional recipes, raising awareness of Baale Mane and supporting our fundraising initiative by hosting Supper Clubs and buying Supper Club products. Click here to learn more.