What We Do

Many people in rural Odisha are living in severe poverty, sustained only by day labouring or piece work cottage industries, the condition of life is challenging for these communities, with little hope to break out of the poverty cycle for the next generation.

There is minimal access to schooling in rural villages, and education can be limited to the primary years only as families cannot support children through secondary education. However, CE hostels in Balangir and Diptipur provide children from 9 to 18 years old with a safe, healthy and clean environment during term time where they gain access to an education on their doorstep. 

The children are supported and encouraged by the staff in their studies, and the hostels’ holistic approach gives them opportunities to be involved in community projects; be supported in their own personal development and to go on occasional trips to have fun!

Having an education creates opportunities for the children. Those who go to school and complete their full education, including to university level for some students, have a better chance of securing high quality employment. Additionally the hostels enhance the children’s personal development to transition from rural village life to the complexity of town or city living. Children learn how to understand and manage health risks in their lives and communities, develop leadership skills through responsibilities in the hostels and personal discipline to reach their potential. 

All this leads the students to be able to make meaningful decisions about their own lives based on a better understanding of the world in which they live. The benefits go way beyond the individual child.