Project visit: Sumangali Seva Ashrama
Cholanayakanahalli Post 
R.T.Nagar, Bangalore

In the second week of August, 1998, I got an opportunity to visit
Sumangali Seva Ashrama in Bangalore. I met the founder, Ms. Susheelamma,  
who having had to deal with diffcult times herself, started out as
providing a refuge to battered women. The Ashrama has now grown both in   
stature and size and involved in a variety of activities. Prominent among
them are the education for the poor (mostly orphans or without one
parent), vocational training for the women and creches for the children   
living in the slums.

I did not give prior notice of my visit since I did not want anything done
for the occasion.I got to speak to Ms. Susheelamma for over four hours      
where we walked through the 1 acre campus that include the primary school,
creche etc. The place is maintained spotlessly clean and I got to speak to
some of the children in the school. The children appeared very curious and
carried themselves with the enthusiasm seen mostly in the kids. I could  
not speak to the girls in the hostel but did visit the hostel. The hostel
consists of two large rooms, about 20' x 40', a mattress for every kid
that's (mattress) rolled and placed in a corner, and some storage place to
keep their clothes, books. There are a total of 62 children living in that
place. That place also happens to be the dining area for the kids.    

In general, I came back with a very positive feeling about the place.  Ms.
Susheelamma, along with a few others who help her in running the place,
appeared very dedicated and have mostly devoted their life to the Ashrama.

--- Srinidhi
email: srinidhi@ece.neu.edu