The voluntary association Balò works in Calcutta in a district called Howrah which is in an extremely dilapidated state. Howrah is situated beyond the river Hooghly and populated by million of people coming from the rural areas or from others Indian regions.

Its alleys inspired Dominique Lapierre's novel "The City of Joy". Much of Howrah is akin to a shanty town. Buildings were constructed of materials that cannot withstand the monsoon conditions and are old before they are completed. Sewers are open, garbage is everywhere, water taps are very scarce, the bathrooms are simply non-existent.
A large family occupies a single room, with the door being the only source of light.