At Miracle Foundation India, as we strive towards enabling children to stay with their families and reach their full potential, we honor the incredible social workforce that makes it all possible! This month, we are pleased to celebrate the efforts, achievements and dedication of S. Thayanantha Saraswathi (Thaya), a Child Welfare Officer at Sarvalayam Trust, a Child Care Institution (CCI) in Vellakovil in Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu.

Thaya had always prioritized the care, safety, and education of children at the CCI. However, after participating in Miracle Foundation India’s training in 2022, she and her team started to reimagine care beyond the institution, shifting their focus to family strengthening and family-based alternative care. By preparing detailed Social Investigation Reports (SIRs) for each child, they gained insights into their backgrounds and support systems, leading to tailored reintegration plans for children, particularly those who had been in the institution for over three years or faced fewer risks at home.

To ensure safe and sustainable reintegration, regular home visits by Thaya provided her a comprehensive understanding of family well-being, covering areas such as family relationships, health, education, living conditions and household economy. For children without parental care, Thaya facilitated linkage to the After Care Scheme for support. Families facing financial challenges were connected to the Sponsorship Scheme (Mission Vatsalya), enabling them to receive ₹4,000 per month through the District Child Protection Unit and the Child Welfare Committee.

Thanks to this holistic approach, 22 children were successfully reintegrated: 14 with their biological families, six in kinship care, and two in aftercare. Thaya and her team also ensured their access to critical services, such as Aadhaar Cards and birth certificates, while helping families connect to financial and healthcare schemes. Three children received laptops from the Trust to support their education. Additionally, three children have been linked to the Sponsorship Scheme, with four more in process. A few families were connected to the Public Distribution System (ration cards); an elderly family member began receiving a pension; and another was enrolled under Tamil Nadu’s Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam (Healthcare at Doorstep) Scheme.

In addition to working directly with children and families, Thaya has strengthened collaboration within the child protection ecosystem. She has played an active role in block-level gatekeeping meetings with Village Health Nurses, Anganwadi workers, and Panchayat leaders, creating community awareness and support systems to help families stay together. Alongside these efforts, she and the Trust have promoted livelihoods through computer and tailoring courses, with tailoring machines being distributed to enhance income generation.

The transformation led by Thaya — from institutional care to family-based care — highlights the importance of investing in people, training, and partnerships to create lasting change. With the support of dedicated social workers, CCIs, local authorities, and donors, we have moved closer to our vision of a world where every child thrives in a safe, loving family. We remain committed to expanding this momentum, strengthening families, and ensuring that more children grow up with the stability and care they deserve.

A big shout-out today to Thaya.