Event Date: 10th October, 2025
On 10 October 2025, something new took root at the Dongri Observation Home. After two years of building trust and partnership with the staff, superintendent, and children at the Home, we launched Seeds of Change, an initiative designed to nurture what’s already growing and help it flourish.
Background
Just as a small seed holds the potential to grow into a mighty tree, small intentional steps can create transformative change. Seeds of Change is our commitment to supporting the dedicated staff at the Home as they continue their vital work with the children through sustained, meaningful engagement.
For some time, we had been looking for a way to resume active collaboration with the collective staff in a manner that would truly add value. When the team at Mera Gaon, Meri Duniya shared an idea that spoke to us, we knew we had found it. Adapting that idea to our context, Seeds of Change became our answer: a systemic, long-term initiative focused on empowerment, ownership, and continuous improvement.
The Initiative - Seeds of Change
Seeds of Change operates on a simple but powerful premise: when staff feel empowered and recognized, everyone benefits, especially the children in their care.
Each department and staff member has been assigned tasks aimed at taking their work to the next level. These aren’t arbitrary assignments; they’re purposeful steps toward deeper ownership and connection to the Home’s mission. Tasks include documenting success stories that capture the impact of their work, digitizing records to improve efficiency and accessibility, and registering for certification courses through the National Skills Development Corporation to build professional skills.
At the end of each month, staff earn points based on completed tasks. These points translate into tangible rewards that enhance their workspace or provide useful resources. Want to beautify your room with plants? Add meaningful touches to your workstation? The options are varied. Staff who fulfill their tasks will also receive certificates of recognition.
Building the Momentum
In the weeks leading up to the launch, staff members kept approaching us with the same question: “What’s next? When are we doing something together again?” Their eagerness was palpable, a testament to the healthy relationship we’ve built over the past two years.
To channel that curiosity, we created buzz in the week before launch day. Teaser videos and posters hinting at the theme of Seeds of Change circulated through the Home. Staff members approached us, eager to know more and unable to wait for the official reveal.
Launch Day
On the day of the launch, the entire staff of the observation home came together, including guards from different shifts as well as staff from the girls’ section, giving us a rare opportunity to engage with the entire team.
Bhavsar Sir, Chief Officer of Children’s Aid Society (CAS), joined Superintendent, Kanthikar Sir in attending the event, signaling the institutional support behind this initiative. When we’d first shared the concept with Kanthikar sir weeks earlier, his appreciation and enthusiasm had been immediate. After several rounds of discussion to refine the details, he was as excited as we were to see it come to life.
As we explained the initiative, you could see the staff caught in rapt attention. But the most powerful moment came when we shared video messages from Department Heads and partner NGOs. These leaders acknowledged the positive changes they had witnessed at the Home over the past few years making it known that the dedication, the growth, and the small victories have not gone unnoticed. For staff who pour their hearts into difficult work, this recognition mattered deeply.
Bhavsar sir and Kanthikar sir closed the session by reminding everyone of the potential each person carries and how collective action creates sustainable, positive change. It was a fitting end to a meaningful beginning.
Our Hope
Seeds of Change is about more than tasks and rewards. It’s about shifting culture. We hope to see staff working more proactively and collaboratively, feeling genuinely empowered about the impact they can have. Most importantly, we hope to create an environment where children experience comprehensive care with every adult in the Home invested in their growth, development, and future.
Small seeds. Big trees. Lasting change.
We’re energized by the momentum this launch has created and look forward to walking this path alongside the staff at Dongri Observation Home. Stay tuned for updates as Seeds of Change takes root and grows.
