Preetha (name changed) and her sister, Megha (name changed), are now working as nurses at a private hospital in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. For a family that once struggled with food insecurity, unsafe housing, and interrupted education, this represents not just economic stability but the restoration of dignity and family unity.

After losing their father early in life, the sisters, along with their elder sister, were raised by their mother, Mariammal (name changed), under fragile conditions. With irregular income from informal work, the family moved frequently, disrupting the children’s education and raising safety concerns. In 2017, when these pressures became unmanageable, their mother approached the Child Welfare Committee for support. The sisters were admitted to a Child Care Institution (CCI) as a temporary step to stabilise them while the family worked toward safe reunification.

During this period, the sisters continued their education. They participated in life skills sessions, career guidance, and counselling. At the same time, their mother was supported in securing a job at a scrap shop in Kerala and in saving to build a permanent home. Extended family members, including an aunt and cousins, were also contacted and guided, who also helped prepare the family for reintegration.

In 2021, after nearly 4 years of preparation, the sisters returned home. Their elder sibling enrolled in a B.Com programme, while Preetha and Megha pursued nursing diplomas after completing tenth grade. Support after reintegration continued, which helped reduce vulnerability and prevent re-separation, including assistance with completing their home, financial planning, educational expenses, and access to government schemes like PDS ration cards, the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme, and scholarships. Preetha and Megha benefited from the Pudhumai Penn Scholarship, while their elder sister received the Post-Metric Scholarship.

Mariammal initially stayed with her daughters to support the transition before returning to Kerala to work and save further. During her absence, the extended family provided consistent care and emotional support. Today, the family lives together in their own home, with the daughters contributing to the household income and Mariammal managing the household and working occasionally. This reflects how timely reintegration, continued family support, and access to opportunities can bring lasting change for children at risk.