All inmates (children) admitted in the ashrams (orphanages) come from underprivileged socio economic backgrounds. More than 60 per cent inmates are without even a single parent.

Children having single parent or both are from such poor economic conditions that their families cannot afford to keep their children at home. So the children live in the ashrams. Inmates are admitted in the ashrams through District Collector’s recommendation. The Government of Orissa provides some grants to ashrams through the district administration. The funds allotted to the ashram are insufficient as narrated earlier.

There are four orphanages covered under this project. These are Dhankauda Kanyaashram (for girl children), Dhankauda Balashram (for boys), Rukmini Devi Bal Niketan, and Dr. Isaac Santra Bal Niketan.

There are 26 inmates residing in the ashram. All of them attend formal schools except three. They are Debatosh Sahu, Judhistir Pateland Dhabaleswar Sa. The details of student strength are given in a separate table.

Before the project was taken up, Debatosh Sahu had appeared the 10th board examination. However, after failing to clear the exam, he had discontinued studies. After the project was taken up, he was made to undertake driving training. He is now a professional driver.

Dhabeleswar Sa is the senior most in the balashram. He completed his graduation prior to the implementation of the project. Inmates namely Bijay Ku. Pattanaik, Mirza Ashraf Baig, Deepak Pandey have secured more than 70 per cent marks in their annual examination last year. Others are average students. Goura Chandra Suna and Keshaba Karna are now students of Plus Three at G.M. College, Sambalpur. It may be noted that these students used to get less than 40 per cent marks prior to the implementation of the project. However, tutors provided by the project hugely contributed to their growth academically.

There are 27 inmates residing in the kanyashram. All are continuing their studies in the formal schools and colleges.

Among the inmates, Kasturi Munda, Asmin Bagum, Aruna Oram, Ashalata Mallik, Tulasi Mahakud, have secured more than 60 per cent marks in their annual examination. Due to financial hardship, some inmates like Nilima Jhankar, Parbati Dhal, Bishnupriya Kuanr, Meera Sahu, Puspa Manjari Naik, Rashmita Naik, Jyotirmayee Samantray had discontinued their studies and been staying in the ashram without attending schools and colleges. After the implementation of the SAP, they were motivated for further studies. Support from Smile Foundation and Utsarga helped them to become self-reliant.

Nilima, Parbati and Meera had discontinued their Plus Two studies. After being motivated, they appeared the exam. Nilima passed in second division and was later admitted in a nursery teacher’s training course. After completing the course, she has joined a nursery school. Parbati, on the other hand, did a course in a nursing training institute after clearing her Plus Two. Now, she is working as a Staff Nurse in a local NGO. Meera is now undergoing her nursing training course.

Bishnupriya appear in her 10th examination and passed the board examination in the year 2007. She is now undergoing training at a nursery teachers training institute.

They have now become inspiration for junior inmates. These inmates who were uncared for earlier have found hope in the SAP project. Now ashrams from other parts of the state are now adopting the model of Smile Foundation and Utsarga

There are 66 inmates in the balashram. All are continuing their studies in the formal schools and colleges. Many inmate in the ashram including Pooja Tapno, Bhagyasini Taria, Lalit Mohan Bhoi, Mishra Sabar, Abhilash Majhi, Sunil Khalko, Anjana Thirty, Sanjib Bhoi and Puspa Putel are above average and perform well in their annual examinations.

Among them Deepak Tripathy is remarkable. He is now studying in Plus Three final years in Math (Hons). He secured between 70 and 80 per cent marks in his Ist and IInd years. His aim is to sit in the civil services examination.

There are 41 inmates in the Ashram. All of them attend formal school except Umesh Rana, an 18-year-old mentally retarded child. As a policy matter, both Chachanpali and Phuljharan Ashram do not accept grown up children above 18 in the ashram. Some adult inmates however have been rehabilitated.

Majority of inmates have been ensured to study in the local primary and high school. They did not have anybody to guide them in their studies. Obviously they fared poorly in their examination.

After the Smile Foundation and Utsarga took up educational support, eight teachers were engaged in all four orphanages for giving remedial education and tuitions. Education materials were also supplied to the inmates. Monthly test were conducted to assess their performance. After the school hours nobody was there to clear their doubts and give guidance. They were not used to study before and after school hours. The implementation of project by Smile Foundation and Utsarga changed that for ever. Now the children are habituated to read two hours each in the morning and evening with teachers’ guidance. The project not only gave educational support to the inmates but also encouraged and guided the grown ups among them to stand on their feet.

Class		Dhankauda Balashram	Dhankauda Kanyashram	Chachanpali Ashram	Phuljharan Ashram
Nursery				1	2
I			3	9	4
II		1	1	10	4
III		3		5	6
IV		2	4	6	5
V		1	2	6	0
VI		4	6	8	3
VII		6	2	4	5
VIII		1	1	10	7
IX				4	3
X		5	6	2	2
+2		2	1
+3		1	1	1
Total		26	27	66	41
	160 Children in all