From a single spark
to a living system.
Guiding Dreams did not begin with a programme. It began with a question: what would it take to make emotional safety the daily default in every school?
This is the story of the people, the learning, the failures, and the milestones that shaped the Harmony system — across Assam, Meghalaya, and beyond.
The Spark — UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab
Our Founder, Arnab Barua, was selected for the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab — working on systems-level responses to mental wellbeing.
Building the Founding Team
Shruthi Vijayakumar joined as Leadership Coach. Valentina Ghatak joined as Co-Founder, leading on-ground implementation and research in schools.
Systems Thinking — Presencing Institute (MIT U-Lab)
Guiding Dreams project was selected for U-Lab 2X by the Presencing Institute.
Strategic Guidance — Dr. Nachiket Mor
Dr. Nachiket Mor joined as founding champion and advisor in public mental health and systems thinking.
First Pilot — Classroom Harmony
@ Natun Fatasil Town High School
We implemented our first full prototype: Classroom Harmony.
Recognised by The Circle India
Classroom Harmony received The Circle India Micro Innovation Grant — Phase 1.
Scientific Review — Centre for Public Mental Health
The Centre for Public Mental Health visited to assess implementation and learning fidelity through a preventive mental health lens.
Government Recognition
The Inspector of Schools formally recognised the work and issued certification.
From Classroom to School Harmony
We realised harmony cannot survive in isolated classrooms. School Harmony expanded to whole-school systems.
Invitation — MPOWER Meghalaya
Guiding Dreams was formally invited by the Government of Meghalaya under MPOWER to participate in the Consultative Workshop on the Meghalaya Adolescent Wellbeing Curriculum, held in Shillong.
St. Anthony's LP School, Shillong
Guiding Dreams conducted structured Classroom Harmony teacher training at St. Anthony's Lower Primary — our first cross-state implementation.
Launch of Harmony Hub
The first batch of Harmony Hub launched with students from Natun Fatasil. Harmony extended beyond school hours — into community continuity.
The story is
still being written.
15 schools. 2 states. A system still growing. If you believe children deserve emotionally safe classrooms — there is a place for you in this story.