Sumangli Ashram

On Sunday we did a morning visit to a local orphanage in Bangalore called Sumangli Ashram, where around 120 girls call this place home. I think this was the most impactful visit for a lot of people in the group. We were informed that though it is called an orphanage, that doesn’t mean it’s just for girls with no family. Actually, it turns out that because of the low income and hard labor (there is a granite quarry that a large number of the population work) a great number of girls are a burden for the parents, and are sent to live at the orphanage.

Because of the direct approach the orphanage takes towards changing these girls lives, there is a real energy about the place. The orphanage itself is clean and surrounded with greenery. And the girls and staff we met were kind and hospitable—of course, that is an understatement because they greeted us with and sent us off with an incredible amount of warmth and gifts. We ate breakfast with them and then toured the orphanage As of now they can house 120 girls and they’re in the process of expanding the facility to house more than twice this.

The most touching aspect of the visit for me was when we were told that the girls are taken care of even after they come of age to leave. In fact, they help the girls go to college, and even help with the expenses of their weddings.

Sumangli Ashram is a home for life.