Another Shining Star from my Greater Noida Girls Home - Meet my dear daughter Sonal!

Our daughter from Udayan Care made us proud by joining the National Care Leavers Network (NCLCN) last month. NCLN has been launched by UNICEF India and Yuwaah to bring care leavers from across the country together. We are overwhelmed and blessed to have Sonal as our loving daughter in our lives.

?It is almost eight years since the commencement of my journey at Udayan Care as a full-time volunteer in an Honorary Director capacity and a mentor father to the girls in the Greater Noida home. I have unconditional support from my wife, Dr. Sunita Sharma mentor mother in the same home, who has been a constant pillar of strength in this journey of mine over the years.

?I would like to mention the strong commitment Udayan Care has been demonstrating towards the care and protection of girls coming to our 17 Udayan Care children’s homes. The concept of family living environment in all our childrens’ home has really been an significant factor in the children being given the best opportunities to grow.

Amongst many of our children who have made us proud, Sonal’s success is one of them. She came to our girls home when she was just 4 years old. After having completed her class 12 from DPS Greater Noida with 82% marks, Sonal is now in her final year of graduation from one of the leading colleges of Delhi University. She is pursuing her passion by choosing to do graduation in social work as she has strong desire and commitment to give back to society post her studies.

We love Sonal as our daughter. My wife and I have groomed and guided her over the last 8 years. As part of the lead anchor at the launch of the NCLCN event, she believes that such networks can improve the current care system and bring people together to care for the better.?Sonal became a part of Care Leavers Association and Network (CLAN), Delhi chapter in 2020. It was a proud moment for me and my wife, Dr. Sunita Sharma when she joined the Network. We both have helped her in studies, career choices, mental and physical development. Let me tell you a bit about the Care Leavers Programme:

Collectivizing Care Leavers was started with the formation of the CLAN in Delhi in 2017 and in Vadodara in 2019. This peer supported independent group of Care Leavers aims to connect, empower and enable their voices to be heard by policymakers to improve the lives of care leavers. Similar efforts have led to the formation of a strong network in MP, called YSS. The networks of care leavers has been a dream for Udayan Care, which over the last 27 years has been providing support to children in need of care and protection through its Udayan Ghar Programme and supporting the youth exiting from Udayan Ghars through its Aftercare Programme and Alumni network. Care Leavers are young adults, who exit Child Care Institutions (CCIs), often called “orphanages” and upon turning 18, have minimal support for their financial, social, and emotional stability.?

I am happy that Sonal is the member of CLAN since 2020 and this experience of her has empowered her to become a member of National Care Leaver Network in August 2021 when it was formally launched. Sonal has also been a YPAT member of Yuwaah, an initiative to mobilize millions of youth globally and she has been learning a lot from this association.

Here’s what she said after joining the National Care Leavers Network :

?“I am very excited at the thought that India will finally have a national care leavers network. I have been a member of the care leavers association and network (CLAN) in Delhi since March 2020 and, I have seen the benefits of being its member myself. It will bring together the voices and experiences of care leavers of all ages, help us contribute to improving the current care system, & change society’s perception of people in care for the better”.?

?We love Sonal like our own daughter and both of us are honored to have her in our lives. She has gained experienced and spent her beautiful days at our children’s home.. We will remain her mentor parents and support her in whatever she does in life. We wish all the best to Sonal.

?Do you also want to be a mentor parent or caregiver at Udayan Care and bring a positive change in society? If yes, contact me for more details or visit our website?www.udayancare.org. Reach me in case you aspire and desire to give back. I shall be more than happy to guide you.?

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