When Suman (name changed) and her sister Purnima (name changed) first arrived at the Child Care Institution (CCI) in Belgaum, Karnataka, in 2023, they were quiet and uncertain about what the future held. The sisters had lost their father, and their mother, overwhelmed with grief and struggling to care for five children, could no longer meet their daily needs.
In their small slum neighborhood, life had become a series of impossible choices , food or school, medicine or rent. At the CCI, things slowly began to change. The girls started going to school regularly, made friends, and joined extracurricular activities. Yet, beneath that progress was a quiet wish , to go back home to their mother and siblings.
When the CCI team began collaborating with the Miracle Foundation India team, guided by the principle of prioritizing family-based care, Suman and Purnima were identified for the process. Since they had only recently been admitted, there was still time to carefully prepare both the sisters and their mother for a safe and successful reunification. This was not a quick decision but a careful process , one that brought together many hands and hearts. The team worked with the mother through counselling sessions, helping her regain confidence and plan for her children’s return.
With guidance from the team and support from a local partner, she was able to access vital government schemes , widow pension, labour card, and rag pickers’ ID , along with essential documents such as income and caste certificates. Her children received school materials to continue their education, while her eldest son got help to strengthen his small business of renting utensils for community events, giving the family a steady financial foothold.
Slowly, stability replaced uncertainty. In 2025, Suman and Purnima were ready to return home. The day of their reintegration was filled with tears, laughter, and relief , a mother embracing her daughters, a family made whole again.
Today, Suman and Purnima, along with their two sisters, attend school regularly and take part in community activities with confidence. Their mother continues to work hard, balancing her cleaning jobs with the joy of raising her children under one roof. This story reflects the power of collaboration, what’s possible when families, communities, CCIs, government programs, and organizations come together , proving that with compassion and collaboration, families can rebuild lives grounded in love, stability, and hope.