Rina* (name changed) and her sister are carving out promising futures—Rina through her college studies and both through part-time jobs that give them independence and confidence. When the sisters lost their parents, it felt as though family life had slipped beyond their reach. For a short while, they stayed with their uncle, who loved them but could not provide long-term stability, and hence placed them in a Child Care Institution (CCI). That gave them shelter and education but left them missing the warmth and security of a family.

Recognizing the importance of family connections, the CCI team focused on preparing children for life within their extended families whenever possible. With encouragement, mentorship, and careful support from the team, the sisters, once they turned 18, moved out to stay with their elder sister, who was now married and settled. She, too, had once faced displacement and lived with relatives, and now she could finally offer her younger sisters the family environment they had been missing.

Adjusting to this new chapter was not easy. The sisters had to learn to manage responsibilities, balance studies with part-time jobs, and handle the uncertainty.

There were moments of fear and doubt, but the support system of social workers and the CCI team stayed by their side so that their dreams of higher studies could take flight. Beyond academics, they are receiving career counseling, skill-based training, exposure to internships, and job placements. Mentorship and emotional support helped them build resilience, while guidance in financial planning and stable housing is preparing them for long-term independence.

Today, Rina is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree at a college in Tripura. Both sisters also work part-time as receptionists at a coaching institute, earning a decent income and building confidence with each step. Their elder sister anchors them, while the wider support system continues to shape their journey toward empowerment. Stories like this remind us that even the deepest losses can give way to hope, strength, and opportunity. Children may enter CCIs in moments of crisis, but they flourish not in institutions—rather, in families strengthened and supported by systems that never let go.