Support orphaned children at our Sunshine Homes

Introduction about Udayan Care

Appalled by the stark reality of 31 million orphans in India and shocked by the condition of institutions housing them, a few like- minded individuals got together to take serious action. This obsession was the seed which sprouted as Udayan Care, – which was registered in 1994, as a Public Charitable Trust.

Udayan Care’s initiatives are focused towards regenerating the rhythm of life of the disadvantaged. Through the power of mentorship, we nurture children who are orphaned and abandoned in the warmth of a family at Udayan Ghars, our long-term foster homes; ensure young girls higher education through our education fellowships; enable underserved youth and adults to improve their employability skills in our IT & vocational training centers; and enable children affected by HIV to live with hope, through our Outreach programme.

About Sunshine Homes

Based on the belief that a loving home and family is the right of every child, Udayan Ghars, long term residential homes, nurture children, who are orphaned or abandoned in a simulated family environment through a strategy called L.I.F.E – Living In Family Environment. There are single and multi unit Udayan Ghars, wherein 12 children (6-18 years), constitute a unit to give individual attention to each child. This ‘Group Foster Care’ model ensures children love and care by a group of Mentor Parents – socially committed individuals (volunteers), who groom these children with a team of social workers, care givers and supervisors. Udayan Ghars are located in middle class neighborhoods to help children reintegrate with mainstream society. Children receive quality education in some of the best schools. Once they reach the age of 18 years, they move into our Aftercare facilities and continue higher education or vocational training.

Presently, 198 children and young adults live at our 13 Sunshine Homes across Delhi & NCR, Kurukshetra and Jaipur. With a vision to reach out to more children, more homes are in the offing.

Following are the activity happened in the Sunshine Homes during the reporting period of time:

1. Workshops:

• Workshop on "Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO)"

A session was held with Mr. Anant Asthana, lawyer (child rights activist), on POCSO Act to get a clarity on the various rules/clauses of the act and the responsibility of various stakeholders involved with the children.  Mentors, coordinators were a part of the discussion and had non-ending queries to which Mr. Asthana readily responded. The session ended with the members more informed and responsible while working towards the child rights. 

• Workshop on Family strengthening:

Sister Black and Elder Black from India New Delhi Mission conducted a workshop on family strengthening with mentors and coordinators of the sunshine home. They stressed on the importance of having a family night once in a week in which children and mentors/social workers could have a time off from their busy and demanding schedules and could have some light moments with each other. They also told that the discussion must have an agenda which could be imparting moral values or various life skills.

• Workshop on Life Skills:

A workshop held at one of our Sunshine Homes for Girls in Gaziabad district Uttar Pradesh was held on Life Skills for adolescents. The workshop was aimed at making the girls comfortable about the changes that they might be feeling. The workshop touched upon the adolescent issues. During the workshop the girls informed and discussed about the changes they have seen few years within themselves, be it emotionally, psychologically or physically

2.  Consultation:

• Multi-stakeholder Consultation on After Care in India

On 17^th September 2014, a Multi-stakeholder Consultation on After Care in India was conducted by Udayan Care in India International Center. The consultation aimed at brainstorming on the importance of After Care services in India and also taking the voices of adults and other Ngo’s to the government. Representatives from various non-governmental organizations and members of government authorities participated in the event

3. Success Story:

• Rupali (Name Changed), a 7 year old girl from Kurushetra, a district in the State of Haryana, had never dreamt of a life outside her village as she struggled to make her basic ends meet after her parents abandoned her. She was later transferred to Udayan Care by the Child Welfare Committee in the year 2009. Rupali(Name Changed) due to her traumatic past life was a very reserved child but after coming under Udayan Care’s guidance she underwent tremendous improvement and started developing communication skills.  She also regained her lost self- esteem and confidence.

Today, Rupali(Name Changed) is in class 6 and is studying in one of the best schools of Kurushetra. She has won several medals in various competitions and has transformed into an out-spoken girl who aspires to be an engineer. In her new loving and caring family environment, Rupali has started to spread her wings ready to take their flight.