Support orphaned children at our Sunshine Homes

Hello all,

Love and Greetings from Sunshine Homes!

I want to take this opportunity to provide an update on the past few months at Udayan Ghar Sunshine Homes.

The Udayan Ghar Program supports children aged 6 to 18 years who require parental care.  When a child is referred to our homes by the child protection authorities, we make intensive efforts to trace the family or next of kin because we believe that children need the support of their family for all-around growth and development - physical, emotional, social, and psychological.  

Children at Udayan Ghar receive holistic support - nutrition, education, mental health counselling, and mentoring.  The program draws up a schedule of activities, workshops, outings etc, to build their overall awareness and perspective.

Workshops with Coordinators/ Caregivers and Children

In collaboration with Femagiene under the *Carry Me Along* initiative, we conducted a menstrual hygiene workshop on 16th May 2025 that promoted eco-friendly pads and educated children about menstruation through interactive activities like ball games, myth-busting, and short plays, covering hygiene practices, healthy habits, and emotional experiences in a stigma-free environment.

The Duke University Team and counsellor conducted an Emotional Coping Workshop for ages 11-14 that helped children understand and identify various emotions while exploring healthy coping strategies, with journals provided to track thoughts and feelings for enhanced emotional awareness and self-reflection.

The Readiness Workshop for ages 15-18 introduced adolescents to diverse career paths and vocational opportunities through interactive activities, teaching resume/CV building and communication skills to equip them with tools for future academic and professional readiness.

HR organised employee training sessions, which covered the Juvenile Justice Act, documentation skills for donor reporting, and organisational skills development, all designed to equip participants with practical tools for supporting children and adolescents effectively.

MAJOR ACTIVITIES

Summer Camp - In June 2025, Udayan Ghar came alive with energy during the four-day Annual Summer Camp, “Masti ki Pathshala”, welcoming over 100 children from our homes. The camp featured a vibrant mix of activities: safety education, hands-on art, Zumba, Taekwondo, technology workshop on LED circuits and coding, along with dance competitions, theatre, debates, and ramp walk, nurturing creativity, confidence, and community.

Udayan alumna and Chevening Scholar, Ms. Pooja Udayan, inspired children with her journey overcoming challenges to study abroad and fund CLAN. Thanks to partners Parwarish Cares Foundation, Pidilite Industries, DUKE Team, and Sukhmanch Theatre, quiet children found their voices, artists shared proudly, and shy performers shone, celebrating growth and boundless potential.

A big thank-you to Mr. Rishi Agarwal and Mr. Jinesh Sharma from Varun Beverages for their unwavering support in providing drinks for our camps over the years, keeping spirits high and children refreshed.

Raksha Bandhan- On August 8th, 2025, Raksha Bandhan ( a festival celebrating the bond between a sister and brother where the sister ties a thread “Rakhi” to the brother) was celebrated with great enthusiasm at two locations. At the Head Office, children from Udayan Ghar showcased their beautifully handcrafted rakhis in a colourful display, where all departments participated in judging and selecting winners for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, creating a wonderful community celebration that highlighted the children's creativity and artistic talents.

Meanwhile, at Udayan Ghar itself, the children actively participated in their own celebration by making rakhis and tying them on each other's hands, symbolising love and protection. Caregiver didis (elder sisters) distributed chocolates to the children, and social workers brought Ghewar (traditional Indian sweets), making the celebration complete with love, creativity, and togetherness. These handmade rakhis represented more than festival decorations—they showcased the skill, imagination, and joy that brought both locations together in spirit, creating memorable and meaningful celebrations filled with community appreciation for every child's unique talents.

Independence Day Celebration- We celebrated a meaningful Independence Day on August 14th at two venues! Our Udayan Care family came together virtually, uniting all Udayan Ghars with our National Anthem, sung with collective pride. Each home showcased talent through energetic dances and patriotic songs, with our Founder’s touching interaction adding warmth as children's bright smiles and tri-colored outfits filled our screens. Simultaneously, children at Udayan Ghar celebrated with performances focused on understanding the value of freedom, highlighted by young Bindu's (name changed) soulful rendition of "Aashayein" that touched everyone's hearts. Both celebrations—one virtual, one intimate—proved that patriotism and unity transcend boundaries, making this Independence Day truly special for our Udayan family.

Success Stories

Name: Sonal (Name Changed) 

Class: 2nd 

Background- Sonal's journey began under extremely challenging circumstances when she and her elder sister Seeta (name changed) were rescued from begging near Kalkaji temple. Following the tragic loss of her father, she found herself in a vulnerable position, living on the streets with her mother and sister. The Child Welfare Committee, Kalkaji, Delhi, recognised the urgent need for intervention and placed Sonal in Udayan Ghar for Girls Home I on 12th May 2022. To ensure her long-term care and protection, she was subsequently transferred to Udayan Ghar for Girls I, Lajpat Nagar, where she would receive comprehensive support and stability. This rescue marked the beginning of a transformative journey that would change the trajectory of her life, moving her from a situation of extreme vulnerability to one of hope, security, and opportunity for growth.

Psychological Development- Sonal's psychological development showcases remarkable resilience and adaptability despite the traumatic experiences she endured in her early years. Her ability to overcome the psychological impact of losing her father, living in destitution, and experiencing the uncertainty of street life demonstrates exceptional emotional strength for a child her age. Since her placement in the care facility, she has exhibited a gentle and lovable nature that has endeared her to both teachers and peers, indicating healthy social-emotional development. Her courteous, confident, and obedient behaviour reflects the positive impact of the stable, nurturing environment she now experiences. The strong curiosity about the world around her and her passion for learning suggest that she has successfully processed her past trauma and developed a healthy relationship with her environment. Her positive attitude towards life, despite her challenging background, indicates robust psychological resilience and the development of healthy coping mechanisms that will serve her well throughout her life.

Educational Development- Sonal's educational journey represents one of the most remarkable aspects of her development, as she entered Udayan Care with absolutely no educational background or formal learning experience. Recognizing that education has the transformative power to change the lives of children who have never been to school, Udayan Care implemented a comprehensive educational support system tailored specifically to her needs. The organisation provided personalised home tutoring that addressed her unique learning requirements, understanding that children coming from such backgrounds need individualised attention to bridge the educational gap. Through carefully designed personalised learning plans and dedicated support from mentors and home staff, significant improvement was observed in her academic performance. The educational approach focused not just on knowledge acquisition but on unlocking the potential within Sonal, recognising that education is about developing the whole child. Her progress from having no educational foundation to successfully enrolling in 2nd grade at St. Mary's School, Delhi, demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. She is currently performing well academically, actively participating in classroom activities, and efficiently completing her assigned tasks, showing that with the right support and intervention, any child can achieve educational success regardless of their starting point.

Overall Development- Sonal's overall development encompasses multiple dimensions that showcase her blossoming into a well-rounded individual with diverse interests and capabilities. Her active participation in co-curricular activities at school demonstrates her social integration and willingness to engage with new experiences beyond the classroom. Her notable love for dance reveals not only artistic inclination but also physical confidence and creative expression, suggesting healthy motor development and emotional outlets. Similarly, her passion for drawing indicates fine motor skill development, creativity, and the ability to express herself through the visual arts. These artistic pursuits are particularly significant as they provide her with positive channels for self-expression and emotional processing. Her efficiency in completing tasks, combined with her courteous and confident demeanour, reflects the development of good work habits and social skills. The intense curiosity about the world that she displays indicates cognitive development and intellectual growth, while her obedient yet confident behaviour suggests a healthy balance between respect for authority and personal autonomy. Her ability to win the hearts of teachers and peers speaks to her social intelligence and emotional maturity, demonstrating that she has successfully integrated into her new environment while maintaining her individual personality. This holistic development - encompassing academic, social, emotional, physical, and creative aspects - positions Sonal as a child with tremendous potential who, with continued support, can achieve remarkable success in whatever path she chooses to pursue in life.

Name : Sumit (name changed)

Class: 2nd

Background: Sumit was found abandoned near Police Station Kalyanpuri, with the unfortunate revelation that his father had passed away and his mother had abandoned him. Initially placed in Maitri Chhaya in March 2023, he was later transferred to Udayan Care for Boys-II, Mayur Vihar, where he has continued his journey of growth and development. Despite his challenging beginnings, Sumit’s potential shines through in all aspects of his life.

Psychological Development: Sumit has demonstrated remarkable adaptability, quickly adjusting to new environments and forming positive relationships with both staff and peers. He is a highly social child, always eager to engage in activities, and enjoys connecting with others. His ability to adapt, learn, and thrive in various settings speaks volumes about his emotional resilience. He excels in creative and recreational activities, particularly in dancing, where he confidently expresses himself on stage. Additionally, he shows an innate talent for arts and crafts, further indicating his strong cognitive and emotional growth.

Educational Development: At Udayan Care for Boys-II, he has made significant strides in his academic and social development. He is currently enrolled in Grade 2 at a universal public school, where he is excelling academically and forming meaningful friendships. His enthusiasm for learning is evident, and he approaches tasks with focus and diligence. He is a fast learner, demonstrating the ability to understand and complete tasks effectively. His positive attitude toward education and ability to thrive in group activities highlight his readiness for further academic challenges. His basics are weak, but with his hard work, he is picking up well.

Overall Development: Sumit’s overall progress is very promising. His strong social skills, eagerness to learn, and passion for creative activities are noteworthy. He demonstrates no behavioural concerns and enjoys good emotional stability. His appetite and sleep patterns are healthy, further supporting his well-being. He maintains positive relationships with both peers and caregivers, which is indicative of his emotional and social maturity. He is thriving in a nurturing and supportive environment, which has been crucial to his growth.

Links:

• Udayan Ghar Film
• Udayan Ghar Alumni Remember