Keerthi (name changed) and her siblings’ lives today reflect strength and courage, but their journey has been shaped by repeated loss and uncertainty.

In 2014, when Keerthi was just 7 years old, her family was pushed into crisis after her father’s death. Her mother, a daily wage construction worker, struggled to provide for her 4 children alone. With no stable income and mounting responsibilities, she made the painful decision to place Keerthi and one of her siblings in institutional care in Tamil Nadu, hoping they would at least have access to food and education.

For Keerthi, institutional life was emotionally overwhelming. She missed her family deeply and struggled with feelings of separation and insecurity. Meanwhile, her mother faced financial instability and limited access to social protection schemes.  Recognizing that poverty and not lack of love had led to the separation, the Child Care Institution, with support from Miracle Foundation India, began working closely with the mother. Through counselling, livelihood assistance, and linkages to government welfare schemes, she was gradually supported to rebuild stability. With sustained preparation and careful planning, Keerthi and her sister were reunited with their mother and younger siblings in August 2022, giving them a fresh start.

But just as the family began rebuilding, tragedy struck again. Their mother passed away in an accident, leaving the children grieving. This time, however, they were not alone. Efforts are underway to ensure the family remains supported and stable. The siblings live together under the close supervision and care of their maternal uncle, who has stepped in as a steady source of emotional support and guidance.  

Continued educational and counselling support ensures that their mother’s loss does not derail their future. Keerthi, now in Grade 11, receives academic and emotional support; her elder sister, in her final year of B.Com, is supported with career guidance and employment assistance; and the younger siblings continue their school education with scholarship linkages.   

Every child’s situation carries its own set of challenges, grief, financial strain, disrupted education, and changing family responsibilities. Supporting families through such transitions requires consistent follow-up, coordination, and trust. While progress is often gradual, sustained support can help families maintain stability during uncertain times. For Keerthi and her siblings, this steady engagement is helping ensure they stay connected to education, to each other, and to the possibilities ahead.