TARA was founded in 2008 with a simple but ambitious goal: protect vulnerable children in Delhi and give them the tools to build independent and fulfilling lives. Eighteen years on, TARA has grown into a recognised child protection NGO in Delhi, supporting children, families and professionals across South Delhi.
Our founder
“Creating a Children’s Home like TARA was a crazy bet which would never have succeeded without the continuous involvement of a multidisciplinary and devoted team. Our determination is stronger than ever to protect children and help them become independent and fulfilled adults.”
Pascal Fautrat, Founder
The beginning of TARA (2008)
A home for children in Delhi
The TARA projects began in 2008 when Pascal Fautrat, a social worker from France, and Annick Adam, a retired teacher, created the NGOs Chaya France and ONYVA to launch TARA Boys, the first TARA Home in New Delhi.
The children living there chose the name “TARA”, meaning “star” in Hindi, a symbol of hope, ambition and the desire to build a better future despite adversity.
Our development and programmes
Over the years, TARA expanded its action to respond to the complex realities of child protection in India, creating three residential programmes and an aftercare service:
TARA Boys
Ages 6 to 18. The first home, opened 2008.
TARA Girls
Ages 6 to 18. Education and empowerment.
TARA Big Birds
Aftercare for young adults leaving care.
These programmes support children placed under protection orders by the Child Welfare Committee and provide education, health care and psychosocial support. Learn more about residential care.
From residential care to family-based care
With experience, TARA observed that many family separations could be prevented with early support. This led to two key developments: the creation of Outreach Centres in vulnerable communities, where children receive educational support during the day and return home to their families, and the launch of the TARA Family Intervention programme in 2025, providing intensive, CWC-mandated support to families at risk.
This shift reflects a fundamental conviction: wherever it is safe to do so, children belong with their families. Institutionalisation is a last resort, not a default. TARA’s community-based model now reaches over 180 children and 90 families across two locations in South Delhi.
Training and expertise in child protection
TARA also created its own Training Centre to strengthen professional practices in child protection. The centre trains TARA staff as well as other organisations across India. In 2024-25, over 107 associates were trained and staff turnover fell to just 9%, the lowest in five years.
Through this work, TARA contributes to improving standards of care and sharing expertise across the sector, including co-authoring the Standards of Care for Child Care Institutions with Guardians of Dreams.
Watch our story
The early years of TARA are told through the eyes of one of our first beneficiaries in Standing Tall, a short animated film from The Undefeated.
Join TARA’s story
Eighteen years of child protection in Delhi. Help us write the next chapter: every sponsor, volunteer and partner makes a difference.