At Jeevaratchanai, we believe that family is the heart of a child’s life. Our Kinship Care Initiative is dedicated to supporting children who, due to tough circumstances, need to live with extended family members or close friends. Kinship care ensures that children remain within their family circle, surrounded by familiar faces, love, and cultural connections.
What is Kinship Care?
Kinship care is when a child who can’t live with their parents is cared for by relatives or close family friends. It’s a way to keep children within their family network, ensuring they grow up with a sense of belonging, cultural identity, and emotional security.
Unlike foster care, which places children with unrelated caregivers, kinship care allows children to stay with people they already know and trust—like grandparents, aunts, uncles, or close family friends. It’s about keeping families together, even in the toughest times.
Challenges Faced by Kinship Caregivers
While kinship care is a beautiful way to keep families together, it’s not without its challenges. Many kinship caregivers face significant hurdles, including:- Financial Strain: Many relatives take in children without additional income, leading to struggles with basic needs like food, education, and healthcare.
- Emotional Stress: Caregivers often deal with the emotional toll of sudden responsibility, especially if they’re older or have health issues.
- Lack of Support: Kinship caregivers often don’t receive the same resources or training as foster parents, leaving them unprepared for the challenges of raising children.
- Legal Barriers: In many cases, kinship caregivers lack legal recognition, making it difficult to access benefits or make decisions for the child.
Kinship Care in India and Tamil Nadu
In India, kinship care has been a traditional practice for generations. When parents face challenges like illness, financial hardship, or other crises, extended family members often step in to care for the children. However, this practice is rarely formalized or supported by systems and policies.
In Tamil Nadu, kinship care is a lifeline for many children. But without proper support, kinship caregivers often struggle to provide for the children in their care. Many face financial strain, lack access to resources, and don’t receive the guidance they need.
How You Can Help?
We believe that every child deserves to grow up in a loving family, and kinship care makes that possible. But we can’t do it alone.
Donate Today: To support our Kinship Care Initiative.
Spread the Word: Help us to raise awareness.
Advocate for Change: Help us build a brighter future for children and families.
Together, we can keep families together and give children the love and support they deserve.
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