Autumn 2025
Yes our blog is back – after too long an interval! We have some updates on what’s been happening, Peter’s visit last January to CEH (see below!), updates on our building projects and some plans for the future.
This year has seen the continued amazing grace of God in providing donors to sustain the work of CEH – thank you so much for your continued support and generosity. The wonderful news is that these funds have allowed us to continue to increase the number of children in the hostels from 135 to 145. We are hoping that in 2026 we can continue to increase numbers to our full capacity of 170. In addition to sufficient funds, the actual number is dependent on the government approving the transfer of children from their village schools to the ones in Diptipur and Balangir. Additionally, inevitably there are some children who struggle to make the transition to life in a hostel and so decide to return to their homes. This highlights the need to truly care for the children in this process and it is a testament to the staff and other children that the majority of children make the transition and thrive once they have settled.
June 2024 saw the inauguration of the new bishop in the Diocese of Sambalpur – Bishop Immanuel Dani. Following the retirement of Bishop Pinuel Dip in February 2024 elections were held and Bishop Immanuel was appointed. This change over has required some administrative tasks to be adapted and the CEH committee has had to bring the bishop up to speed. Mostly this has gone well and has now stabilised throughout 2025. However, the biggest challenge was the need to secure the renewal of authorised signatories for the CEH government approved bank account in New Delhi (your donations are sent from overseas to this account and then transferred locally to CEH). This process has been tortuous, resulting in no funds flowing to the CEH local account for 5 months, requiring some nimble management of operational expenditure to maintain the hostel! However, this hiccup has been resolved and donations are now flowing well to CEH.
Wonderfully the children continue to do well in school and in their recreational activities. The recent mid-year exams have seen good marks for the children – many coming first or second in their classes. In addition, during the recent Harvest Festival celebrations out of 35 dance groups involved in the Diocesan dance competition CEH had two groups that won 1st Prize in their category. One was a pair of girls from Class 9/10 and the other was a group of 3 girls and 3 boys. It is so positive that the children are settled in studies and in putting effort into extra-curriculum activities.
Waiting to leave for school. They are led in prayer by one of the children before they all file out!
They are very talented dancers (to their own choreography) plus budding actors
While 2025 has seen some challenges it is wonderful that the children have been able to continue in the hostel throughout the year, focus on their studies and enjoy friendships in the hostel. All of this has only been possible due to the incredible donations from you our donors – thank you again!
The plans for the coming year include:
Peter’s visit in January is being prepared – if you would like to join him then please get in touch at admin@abound.org.uk
We continue to manage the use of donations for both the operational budget and for any capital expenditures for which there is funding
Complete more of the building works that have been started
Due to current staff likely to move on soon CEH has to find a new girls’ warden in Balangir this year.
If you would like explore how you could get more involved then please do get in touch with us at admin@abound.org.uk.
January 2025 trip
In January Peter visited the work of CEH along with Rev Roger Widdecombe, the vicar of St Paul’s church, Cheltenham, which has made Abound one of its mission partners. The greatest benefit of a personal visit to CEH is to encourage the children and staff. The incredible staff (wardens, cooks, watchmen and tutors) genuinely care, above and beyond, 24/7, for the development of the whole child which is wonderful to see in action first hand.
Putting a face to the names of donors and supporters helps to cement the relationship between the UK and US supporters and CEH. Showing interest in the children and staff, plus participating in their daily routines including their singing, games and daily devotions, helps to bring the love of God in a tangible and personal way.
Playing on the equipment and enjoying a game of make-shift badminton
A highlight of any trip is the annual picnic, which includes all the children from both Diptipur and Balangir in one recreation area. This year we visited a large garden area with a pond and children’s play equipment. The children were given freedom to roam, relax, play and enjoy fun together. The full sit-down curry and rice lunch is always appreciated with special food for the occasion. The day ended with them playing games in four teams - including prizes!
Full curry and rice lunch cooked in the open air and team games including an extreme skipping competition!
Roger Widddecombe got stuck in too, engaging with the children individually and speaking to them as a group on various occasions. His infectious smile and willingness to have fun allowed the children to get to know him and the supporters from St Paul’s church Cheltenham.
Roger speaking to the children at the picnic
In addition, Roger was able to bring a special gift from a supporter to be used to benefit the children. So Mahendra bought a whole load of indoor and outdoor games and equipment:
Some of the children with the new games equipment in Balangir
Peter is looking forward to his next visit in January 2025 - renewing friendships, having fun, seeing progress in the lives of all those involved and planning for the future. If you would like to join this trip to be an encouragement to the children then please get in touch at admin@abound.org.uk.
2024 building and maintenance projects
Maintaining accommodation for up to 170 children plus staff is a continuous responsibility for CEH which, due to the generosity of many donors, has been able to take a great leap forward during 2024. The girls’ hostels, built in 1993 and 2001, required some remedial repairs and refurbishment. The boys’ hostel, over 100 years old, demanded renewal in parts plus refurbishment: the replacement of the boy’s dormitory roof being the most urgent work. In addition, the changing operating model of the hostels required some changes to the building uses.
Therefore, we have utilised your generous 2024 donations as follows:
Repair and refurbishment of facilities for the safety of all the children and improve sanitary facilities
Restore the facilities to allow a return to the maximum number of children that can be accommodated alongside the operating costs for these numbers
Maintain and upgrade cooking, dining and meeting facilities to enhance the efficiency and usage of cooking staff and food.
For a detailed look at the work achieved visit our Projects page.
The following is a summary of the building and maintenance programme completed during 2024:
SAFETY: New fridges for Diptipur and the Balangir campus (purchased in January 2025)
TOILETS: Additional “washrooms” in Balangir 10xBoys and 4xGirls, plus a toilet for night time
Resolve drainage flow out of the boys' hostel grounds
SECURITY: New watchman lodge at Balangir boys' hostel site for 24x7 security
Replace Diptipur girl's hostel boundary fencing with a brick wall
LODGING: Repair Diptipur Girls' leaking roofs, damaged concrete and sewage drainage
Improved clothes washing facility at Diptipur hostel
Balangir Boys': replace remaining new roofs and refurbishment of all rooms
A new MULTI-FUNCTION ROOM for ALL Balangir children to be accommodated
provide better and larger meeting room for all activities including tutoring
provision for new combined dining facility and relocated kitchen
BOREHOLE: Provision of a new borehole for Balangir Girls' to improve water provision
2025/26 Building Projects
Future work includes completing some current projects with the potential for some additional elements:
Upgrade water filters for each hostel
Completion of the Balangir upstairs kitchen and dishwashing area to support the move of dining to the Multi-Function Room
Painting of the Diptipur hostel boundary wall
Completing of other watchmen’s lodges
Please pray for us as we determine the next priorities and the manner for funding them.
If you wish any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@abound.org.uk.