10 Years with TARA Tots: A Safe Home for Children in Delhi
For more than a decade, TARA Tots has provided a safe and nurturing home for young children who have experienced extreme vulnerability. Over the years, the programme has evolved to protect, educate and support them as they rebuild their lives.
Growing up in a safe environment
Since joining TARA over three years ago, every day has been a new adventure. Working with children is a constant source of wonder — seeing them rediscover childhood, play, learn and grow.
At TARA Tots, children who have faced difficult beginnings find a stable and caring environment where they can feel safe and begin to rebuild their confidence and sense of belonging.
Adapting in times of crisis
One of TARA’s greatest strengths is its ability to anticipate and adapt to the unexpected. Even before the first lockdown of 2020 was announced, programmes were reorganised to protect the children.
The TARA Tots staff moved from daily shifts to weekly rotations, living in the house for extended periods to ensure continuity and emotional stability for the children. With schools closed, online learning became the norm — a completely new and sometimes unsettling experience for many of them.
Ensuring continuity in education
Beyond caregiving, the team supported children in adapting to online education. Exceptional donations made it possible to provide tablets and computers so they could continue their schooling remotely.
Access to digital learning is far from universal — according to UNICEF, only one in four children in India has access to a digital device and an internet connection. These resources were therefore essential to prevent educational setbacks.
Supporting children and empowering staff
TARA is committed not only to the well-being of children but also to the professional development of its staff. Several team members have taken on new responsibilities over the years, strengthening the quality of care and support provided across all TARA homes.
This collective commitment ensures that children benefit from a stable environment guided by experienced and dedicated adults.
Moments of resilience and hope
Despite the challenges, the past years have been marked by powerful moments of resilience. TARA Tots successfully relocated to a safer home after recurring structural issues, ensuring better living conditions for the children.
New children were welcomed and supported after facing severe hardship, while families were reunited after long periods of separation. These moments remind us why the programme exists — to protect, nurture and give every child a chance to thrive.
Building a future together
The journey of TARA Tots over the past decade has been made possible thanks to the support of partners, donors, volunteers and dedicated staff. Together, we continue to provide vulnerable children with safety, education and opportunities for the future.