SOS Children’s Villages India partners with Uttarakhand Government to strengthen Child Welfare

Dehradun, India: SOS Children’s Villages India, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to providing care and support to vulnerable children, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Development, Government of Uttarakhand. This strategic partnership aims to enhance child welfare initiatives across the state, focusing on various crucial areas.

The MoU was signed by Prashant Kumar Arya, IAS, Director, Women Welfare, Uttarakhand and Sumanta Kar, CEO, SOS Children’s Villages India in the presence of Mohit Choudhry and Anjana Gupta, senior officials from the Department of Women Welfare, Uttarakhand. This significant event highlights the commitment of both parties to collaborate effectively in advancing child welfare in the region after the proposal was approved in the cabinet.

The MoU encompasses four key areas of collaboration:

Children’s Home: Under this initiative, efforts will be directed towards admitting children in need of care and protection in a family-like environment in a community setup.

Supporting vulnerable families in the community (Family Strengthening Programme): The partnership seeks to implement Family Strengthening Programmes to support vulnerable families within the community, ensuring that children can grow up in a safe and stable family environment.

Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana (Kinship Care): Through the Mukhyamantri Vatsalya Yojana, efforts will be made to promote kinship care arrangements for children in need, emphasising the importance of family-like care solutions.

Mentorship Programme (Technical Assistance and Knowledge Partnership for CCIs): This aspect of the collaboration will focus on providing technical assistance and fostering knowledge partnerships for Child Care Institutions (CCIs) to enhance their capacity in providing quality care and support to children.

On the occasion of the signing of the MoU, Rekha Arya, Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Development, Uttarakhand, expressed elation on this partnership, stating,“This partnership with SOS India will be a landmark endeavour in institutional and non-institutional care for the children of Uttarakhand, towards fulfilling our commitment to Juvenile Justice practices in the state.“

Sumanta Kar, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages India, stated ,”We are delighted to join hands with the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Development, Government of Uttarakhand, to strengthen our collective efforts in ensuring the well-being and protection of vulnerable children. Through this collaboration, we aim to create sustainable solutions that positively impact the lives of children and families across the state.”

SOS Children’s Villages India operates a Children’s Village in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, where currently 182 children are supported under the Family Like Care Programme.

SOS Children’s Villages India remains committed to its mission of providing every child with a loving home and a supportive community, empowering them to build a brighter future.