This month, we are turning our focus to Children’s Aid Society (CAS) rather than Seedling Foundation. CAS is a semi government organisation that runs Observation Homes and Children’s Homes across Mumbai. There are eight Homes under CAS, including Dongri Observation Home, Matunga David Sassoon Industrial Home, Chembur Children’s Home, Bal Kalyan Nagari, the Additional and New Children’s Home, MDC Home, and an ITI institute.
100 Years of Children’s Aid Society and Dongri Observation Home!
On 16 March 2027, Children’s Aid Society will complete 100 years! CAS was established on 16 March 1927 by the Bombay Presidency (then British India) to implement the Juvenile Justice system under the Bombay Children Act, 1924.
Hence, March 2026 to March 2027 marks the centenary year of CAS. This institution has a very rich history and heritage. The institution carries a deep history and legacy. Over the decades, it has been visited by national leaders such as India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Several prominent public figures have also served on its managing bodies. In 1983-84, CAS received the prestigious national award for ‘Best Child Welfare Institution’ from the then Hon’ble President of India, Dr. Giani Zail Singh.
Over the decades, CAS has grown to be regarded as one of Asia’s largest child welfare organizations. Since its inception, CAS has provided care and support to over a million children through its residential homes (Child Care Institutions) and educational institutes across Mumbai.
On 1 May 2027, Dongri Observation Home will also complete 100 years. Historically, this facility was once Dongri Jail, where prominent Indian freedom fighters such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Veer Savarkar, and Gopal Ganesh Agarkar were imprisoned during British rule. In 1927, the premises were converted into an Observation Home under the Children’s Aid Society, marking a significant transformation from incarceration to child welfare and rehabilitation.
Working with CAS: A System Level Engagement
In this milestone year, Seedling Foundation has received the opportunity to work with CAS at a systemic level. Our engagement includes ideation, process strengthening, implementation support, digitization, and other areas across all eight Homes. The senior leadership at CAS, led by Mr. Pravin Bhavsar, has invited us to collaborate in strengthening systems and staff capacities, while also helping bridge the gap between society and this work.
Exposure Visit to Hunnar Gurukul
As part of this collaboration, we facilitated a two day exposure visit to Hunnar Gurukul for 21 CAS staff members. It was a meaningful initiative with a lasting impact.
Many staff members shared that in over 15 to 20 years with CAS, this was the first time such a trip had been organized. There was a lot of skepticism even when it was announced – everyone questioned whether it would actually happen. However, under the leadership of Bhavsar sir, this became possible. It was extremely powerful, profound and a transformative experience for everyone involved.
Read the full experience here : A 2 Day Visit at Hunnar Gurukul with CAS Staff
An Insight from the Ground
Despite its long history and significance, Children’s Aid Society remains largely unknown to the wider public. This field of work continues to remain distant from mainstream awareness and public conversation.
A Question We’re Sitting With
What helps a rich heritage remain alive? How do we cultivate a culture that sustains meaningful work across generations?
Frequently Asked Questions
Following our last newsletter, we added a Frequently Asked Questions section to our website, based on the questions many of you have raised.
Continuing the Conversation…
Thank you for continuing to read and reflect with us. As we shape this space, we want it to genuinely help you understand our work better. What would you like to hear more about? What themes, reflections, or areas of interest would help you engage more deeply, and help this understanding ripple outward into society? Share Here
Planting Seeds of Transformation,
Seedling Foundation
Why this newsletter exists
We believe this work is incomplete without society’s awareness and participation. This space is for sharing our work, approach, and learnings, including insights, questions, and challenges, and for building a thoughtful community around this often unseen area of work.
