At Miracle Foundation India, we celebrate the incredible social workforce committed to ensuring every child grows up in a loving family. This month, we highlight the inspiring work of Shital Donge, a Social Worker at District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Nanded, Maharashtra, whose efforts are strengthening families and transforming lives.

Shital’s work focuses on identifying challenges children face, from mental and physical health concerns to social and economic hardships, and finding sustainable solutions towards ensuring children stay with families. Recognizing the importance of a holistic approach to advance children’s well-being, she collaborates with NGOs, local leaders and volunteers to bridge existing gaps, actively supporting families from vulnerable communities to gain access to government welfare schemes and employment opportunities for financial stability.

Shital’s impact is evident in cases like that of a father who, due to economic constraints, admitted his child to a Child Care Institution (CCI). Shital facilitated counseling for him and his wife, and connected them with an NGO that helped him start a vegetable-selling business. Within a few months, as his financial situation stabilized, the child was reintegrated into the family, with regular follow-ups conducted by Anganwadi workers subsequently to ensure their continued well-being. In another case, a widowed mother, struggling financially to raise two children, placed her son in a CCI. Shital enabled their access to the Bal Sangopan Yojana, which provides ₹2,250 per month to children from vulnerable families; she, together with the local Anganwadi workers, facilitated the reunification of the son with his mother.

Believing that effective child protection requires collaboration among the various government departments, Shital follows a unified, consistent approach to safeguarding children. Her dedication has led to six successful family reintegrations. Additionally, she has assessed and supported 82 families in the district, ensuring at least half of them benefit from the Bal Sangopan Yojana. She also conducts regular visits to CCIs, monitoring children’s well-being and working for their best interests. Through her tireless efforts, Shital continues to prove that when families have the right support, children can thrive in safe and loving homes.