SUNDERGARH BETHESDA BOYS HOME, ORISSA
Sundergargh is a growing city in Orissa State. The Indian Planning commission estimates that the proportion of people living below the poverty line in 1999–2000 in Orissa was 47.15% which is nearly double the all India average of 26.10%. The children who drop out of schools due to hardship are functional illiterates and they inevitably join the labour force, as a result there has been cumulative growth in child labour. The 2001 Indian Census showed that 4.7% children in Orissa State are working as labourers. Orissa state is significantly under-developed and the boys come from deeply poverty affected situations.
The names of the houseparents at Sundergarh are Pastor Philip and Christina Dandsena. The home provides shelter for 16 boys aged 8-14 years old who have been rescued from destitute situations . As well as receiving food, clothing, schooling and loving care the boys are engaged in a Foundations for Life training program. Over a period of three years this provides the boys with skills usually gained in a home environment including hygiene and toileting, eating and manners, responding to care, communication and social skills, self esteem, regular sleeping patterns and overcoming violent and aggressive behaviour.
Pratap Kumar, age 8yrs old is one of the children currently living in the home. His mother divorced the father when he was 2 years old. His father was a drunkard and did not look after little Pratap. One day the father left home and never came back. Pratap wandered in the village and the villagers would help him time to time. But nobody was willing to shelter him. Seeing the condition of the Boy the Pastor brought the boy to the safety of the Home. Today he is very happy to be part of a loving Home.
The names of the boys and their ages
- Lepson Burd - 14 yrs
- Philiant Barla - 10 yrs
- Prem Singh - 10 yrs
- Sajit Oram - 13 yrs
- Ranjeet Barla - 9 yrs
- Gautam Majhi - 13 yrs
- Nelson Majhi - 8 yrs
- Nikodim Bira - 12 yrs
- Phuljesh Lamga - 11 yrs
- Deepak Munda - 14 yrs
- Binaya Bira - 10 yrs
- Anand Kumar Lima - 10 yrs
- Sushanta Dandsena - 9 yrs
- Sajesh Barla - 13 yrs
- Pratap Kumar - 8 yrs
- Babula Badik - 9 yrs
Sponsor a Home
To sponsor a children's home with a recurring monthly donation please fill out the form below and we will be in contact with you to finalize the process. Thank you for your generosity.
