Smile Foundation and Udiyaman Matrukhetra Trust, Orissa have been implementing their integral education programme for needy tribal children. This year, the programme has been upgraded with renewed approach with an aim to empower these children in to self-reliant and educated citizen once they pass out of the centre.

About the Partner

Udiyaman Matrukhetra Trust is a registered Society working for promoting welfare and development of underprivileged children in and around Sambalpur, Orissa. The organization started its work with agriculture sector in 1973. However, Sri Aurobindo Integral Education and Research Centre started in 1999 with mission to provide education to local tribal children. Smile Foundation and Udiyaman Matrukhetra Trust have been implementing the integrated education programme for tribal children last year too. The same has been upgraded this year with fresh objectives.

About the Project

The upgraded project will include adding class VI along with other ongoing classes. Two additional teachers will also be recruited besides the present staff of eight.

The project has been designed to provide an integral system of learning in which, besides regular education, children are also oriented and equipped to become independent by taking up some gainful activities primarily relating to agriculture and technology. The integral education aims at preparing the children growing into young men with knowledge, progressive outlook, willing to experimentation and above all, believing in dignity of work. These young men are expected to bring in desirable changes in their village by actively participating in the transformation process - rather than looking for greener pastures elsewhere.

An Education centre from nursery to standard V (affiliated to N.L.B.T, Orissa) has already been functioning. There are 71 children (30 girls), mostly from Scheduled Tribe community.

The education programme is entirely based on Joyful play way method. Major activities include academic activities as per N.L.B.T. syllabus. In addition cultural activities like music, song, dance, art etc. Physical activities of the centre include drill, climbing and trekking, sports etc. Gardening, afforestation, maintenance of the centre and premises are part of the children’s community work, besides programmes like youth camps and harmony zone.

Regular training programmes for teachers are also organized for making teaching and learning more effective.

Health care programmes are also arranged-both for children as well as parents. In addition, Rotary Club also helps organise health care programme for infant care and pregnant women as well as general health care of children and mothers.

A residential hostel for 20 children has been set up in July 2005 to facilitate children from outside.

Special Focus

Socio-economic profile of the children will be taken in to consideration for providing special attention to the needy.

A residential school up to the class of 10th for needy tribal children will the goal for immediate future.

The students will be equipped with proper expertise, life skill and orientation so that they would not have to venture out of their vaillages/area in search of livelihood.

Around half of the total students are girl children.

Certain positive impact has already been observed in the communities after children’s education and regular health check up programme. Most striking among them is consumption of tobacco and alcohol among nearby communities/population has gone down remarkably.