Reconstruction of the Penthakata School

While our school children in Penthakata have been attending school again for a while, the reconstruction of the school grounds is also slowly coming to an end. 

It could have been worse for the Penthakata School. Fortunately, the school building was able to withstand most of the cyclone Fani that struck Odisha in May 2019. Nevertheless, right after the storm, the area had to be cleared of fallen trees and exposed power lines in order to ensure safe school operations. Already at the beginning of the new school year the site was replanted with new trees together with the school children.

The next step was to rehabilitate the power and water lines on the property and repair the windows of the school building. In addition, the walls around the school grounds and the entrance gate had to be reconstructed.

We hope that the soon completion of the key renovation work on the site will bring back normality to the life of the students in Penthakata and allow them to concentrate fully on their education and the foundation for a promising future.

Besprechung des Abfallmanagements am Strand von Penthakata

Handover of Waste Management to the City of Puri

With a formal handover ceremony, the City of Puri has taken over responsibility for the operation and financing of waste management in the Penthakata settlement from Usthi. Usthi remains committed to integrating this topic into the surrounding schools. The new video shows where the waste management project starts – and why. One of Usthi’s schools […]

Sturzflut in Nepal

Flash Flood in Nepal

On Wednesday, 26 August 2026, a devastating flash flood caused widespread destruction in Nepal, north-west of Kathmandu, along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. Lives were lost and many people remain missing. Homes, roads and vital infrastructure have been destroyed, leaving families without their livelihoods. Usthi is deeply saddened by the devastating events. Our thoughts are […]

der neue Schulbus an der Penthakata Schule

New school bus in Penthakata

The first test drive caused great excitement among the children at Penthakata School. Since July, the new school bus – made possible by the generous donation of an Indian supporter – has been in regular use. Every morning, the children from the informal fishing settlement on the outskirts of the city make their way to […]