Rag Picking to Star Plucking – An Endeavour in Cuttack Slum

Smile Foundation, along with Utkal Sevak Samaj, has taken up the endeavour of providing integrated empowerment for of the underprivileged street children of Cuttack city in Orissa. The project aims to provide primary education, health care, nutritional support along with the vocational education for the needy children.

About the Partner

Utkal Sevak Samaj (USS) is a registered and leading developmental organization in the state of Orissa, established in the year 1989 with the Head Office in Cuttack.

Since its inception, the organization has being working in the tribal pocket of Tanig- Choudwar Block of Cuttack district. Besides, it is operating in 146 villages and 50 slums across 4 Revenue Districts in Orissa, covering a total population of 1, 05,000.

The organization is primarily working in the sectors of health care and education with specific focus on Mother & Child Development, HIV-AIDS, Health Care, Integrated Community Transformation and Disaster Management & Mitigation in Orissa.

About the Project

The Education & Health Care Programme for non school going & drop out children has been started. The area of operation, where the centres have been functioning, includes 10 slums under Cuttack Municipal Corporation in Orissa. The areas are Ranihat Sweeper Society, Ranihat Kenal Kulasahi, Pithapur, Harijan Sahi, Chauliaganja Purigaht Samal Sahi Immampada, Jagatpur Pradhan Sahi and Maji Sahi.

300 non school going & drop out children are the direct beneficiaries under the project. Most of the children are in to rag picking or living on the street. The education programme is intended to prepare the children getting admission into regular schools, to reduce the drop out and to improve the retention level once they get the basic education. As many as Non Formal Education Centres are running for the same, having 30 children in each class. Special emphasis is given on language, basic arithmetic, social and science subjects. Further, library facilities, children museums and exhibitions are organized to encourage the children and enhance their exposure.

The project has also got inbuilt components to involve the parents in the process as many children are first generation learners.

Other activities implemented for the betterment of the underprivileged at each centre are:-

• Saving by Parents –this ensures regular savings & credits to meet the proposed goal
• Mobile Computer Education – bridge the gap between rich and poor, and impart quality education
• Nutritional Support Programme – Mid day meals is provided to enrolled children
• Health Check Up Programme – Health check up, health monitoring and medication for each child is done every month.
• Provision of health education to the children –highlighting on issues like hygiene, sanitation, nutrition health hazards.
• Scholarships to the meritorious students
• Parental Counseling
• Formation of parent teachers associations
• Sensitization on child rights and education
• Annual get-together for children
• Providing uniforms
• Annual sport meet
• Science exhibition
• Cultural events
• Exposure visits
• Insurance cover

Special Focus

• To facilitate quality and complete primary education to the target group (non –school going & dropouts within the age group of 6-14 years
• Compulsory Health Check up and Nutritional Support
• Enable the children to be self –sustainable through vocational education
• Sensitize parents and community

The joint initiative of Smile Foundation and Utkal Sevak Samaj has given new heights to the underprivileged. The involvement of the community and will power of the children will make them earn a privileged living and hence set an example for others.