At Miracle Foundation India, our work to ensure that children grow up in safe, loving families often involves guiding them through the complex process of reintegration. For a child who has spent years in institutional care, reintegration is rarely easy. It is a sensitive journey of reconnecting, adjusting, and slowly rebuilding a life that was once disrupted, and can be emotionally and physically demanding.
The story of Soma Mishra (name changed) from Tripura reflects this reality. She was not placed in a Child Care Institution (CCI) because she lacked a family, but because her mother, grieving the sudden loss of her husband and struggling with poverty, could no longer take care of her two young children. At just four years old, Soma entered a CCI, while her mother continued working as a domestic help.
Life in the CCI was not easy. The pain of separation weighed heavily on Soma, who longed for her mother’s presence and the comfort of home. Despite this, she slowly adapted to her new environment, where she received consistent care, education, and emotional support. However, as she grew, visits home were difficult. Soma was troubled by the poor living conditions in her slum, the unhygienic surroundings, and a cultural environment she struggled to relate to. Soma’s mother, now more involved and willing to support her daughter’s growth, expressed a strong desire to rebuild their relationship. Reuniting with her mother offered the prospect of long-term stability and emotional healing, making it a necessary path forward despite the discomfort.
After completing her Class 10, the process of reintegration began. While the team worked with her mother to improve housing and income opportunities, Soma received support through counseling to rebuild her relationships. Soma’s mother was supported to apply for assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). To help her regain financial independence, she was supported in securing cleaning work at a local nursing home.
Soma’s journey of reintegration was far from easy. After spending ten years in institutional care, returning home brought emotional discomfort and a sense of disconnection, prompting her to temporarily move into a short-stay home. However, with consistent counseling and support, she began to rebuild her relationship with her mother and brother. She also found motivation to pursue higher education and develop skills, such as computer literacy and tailoring, which are helping her build confidence and independence. Now in the fourth semester of her graduation, she aspires to pursue a Master of Social Work and a Diploma in Elementary Education to support children like herself. Her mother, too, received parental guidance to create a more supportive home, while the team is assisting with better living conditions to ensure stability.
Soma’s journey is a powerful reminder that reintegration is more than a logistical shift—it’s an emotional and psychological transition. While it often comes with challenges, Soma’s story shows that, with the right preparation, supportive follow-up, and consistent care, reintegration can spark healing, build resilience, and lead to meaningful, lasting change.