You’re either born into a family or marry into one. But it’s not that simple for some.It took courage and grit to create these Indian families. Anindita Ghosh brings the story of five extraordinary journeys to kinship
TAKES A VILLAGE
For orphaned and abandoned children, an SOS family is as close as it gets to the real thing
All of Prerna’s happy memories start at age 4, when she was brought to the SOS Children’s Village in Greenfields, Faridabad, in 2004. Her father had passed away and her mother had remarried. In a country that has little time or space for abandoned girls, Prerna faced an uncertain future. But she blossomed under the care of her ‘house mother’ and bonded with her foster siblings to become the well-adjusted teenager she is today. “I had so much fun here— there were suddenly so many brothers and sisters to play (and fight) with! I was never hungry again or ever in need of anything. The best part was the love I got from my house mother,” says the 17-year-old.
When it comes to families, one of the most special kinds is the SOS Children’s Village family. A concept that originated in Austria after World War II, these villages provide group foster care to children who are orphaned, abandoned or come from difficult circumstances. A foster mother takes these children under her care in an SOS family home of 8 to 10, where all their needs are fulfilled. “The family homes function as real homes. Kids can bring their friends home, and enjoy the natural conviviality of a neighbourhood where other families with children also reside within the same community. The basic aim is to provide children without a biological family, a family within our community,” says Anuja Bansal, Secretary General, SOS Children’s Villages of India. “Younger children do not have too many adjustment issues. The older ones, however, who have undergone some trauma, take longer to integrate. These problems are ironed out soon though. Eventually, every child gains confidence and feels safe and secure,” she says.
Denne historien er fra April 09,2018-utgaven av Femina.
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Denne historien er fra April 09,2018-utgaven av Femina.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
THE GOODNESS OF GHEE
What: The Pure Cow Ghee range for babies with sensitive skin from Himalaya Babycare
Hello Hyderabad!
The Kaftan Company makes its debut in Hyderabad with a physical store
A COSMIC CULINARY JOURNEY
Located in the vibrant heart of Kolkata, That Place Bowl & Bar aims to be something out of the ordinary
BIG ON THE SCREEN
Writer-director INDIRA DHAR is no newcomer to international film festivals, but a standing ovation at Cannes for her latest film was an unforgettable experience. She talks to Shraddha Kamdar about the inspiration, her love for films and more
COMMAND RESPECT EFFORTLESSLY
Try these strategies if you hate not being taken seriously.
FIND CALM IN CHAOS
Deal with difficult situations using the principles of stoicism.
GREENER IN THE CUP
Samiksha Bhowmik details why a cup of matcha needs to be part of your diet
THE BEST OF TWO VIBRANT WORLDS
LYLA, in Mumbai's BKC, seamlessly blends Central American vibrancy with Californian flair
A Melange Of the Middle East & Indian Spices
Bringing contemporary twists to tradition, MERCHANT & ME is a youthful urban space for cuisine and cocktails in Pune
10 REASONS WHY SEYCHELLES COULD BE YOUR DREAM DESTINATION
Seychelles hits all the high notes on the romance roster whether you're on honeymoon or a love break.