When I first arrived in Andhra Pradesh, India, I was filled with excitement and uncertainty. The unfamiliar sights, sounds and smells of this vibrant region were a stark contrast to what I was used to. But as I began my internship with the Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph Social Service Society, I quickly realized that the greatest contrast was not external—it lay in the lives of the children and women I would meet. They were lives marked by resilience, strength and quiet courage that I would soon admire deeply.

In a state with a population of around 54 million people, many of whom face considerable hardships, I have witnessed first-hand the harsh reality of life for children and women in difficult circumstances. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), about 13% of girls and women aged 15-19 have started having children.

Many of these children are denied basic rights and face complex and multifaceted challenges. For children from broken homes – who are most at risk – the perceived solution often seems to be institutionalisation. While this system offers immediate help, it is far from ideal.

Institutional education and care encompasses several dimensions: it provides safe shelter, nutritious food, adequate clothing, quality care and support, education, emotional and psychological support, interaction with peers, participation in sports and recreation, life skills training, family and community engagement, empowerment and advocacy. Religious congregations such as the Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph have a long tradition of establishing institutions to address social inequalities, such as access to education based on social status, caste-based oppression and gender-based disadvantage.

The Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph, driven by its charism of “ever-adaptable apostolic availability,” recognized the need for safe accommodation for the homeless and provided them with a home where they could be free from the dangers of the world and grow in wisdom and knowledge. With the vision of supporting the weak and empowering the vulnerable, support and rehabilitation centers were established.

In these facilities, vulnerable people, people suffering from depression, and battered, tortured, abused and trafficked young women and children found support, safety and a sense of community and camaraderie that enabled them to overcome memories of violence and suffering and regain the strength to recognise and assert their own dignity.

I did my internship in rehabilitation homes for girls and young women in difficult living conditions, which are run by the community social services. The community works with the government of Andhra Pradesh. All residents come through the State Child Protection Commission. Some are school students, while adults without basic education receive vocational training.

The home is equipped with modern tailoring machines and the residents are trained in how to use them. Everyday life resembles a small business. The income is used for maintenance and a portion is transferred to their bank accounts.

The nurse in charge of the house has a degree in psychology and occasionally meets with the residents to give them advice. Among the residents are some HIV-positive people who are neither discriminated against nor isolated. They receive daily medication and nutritious food.

Locals often eat together during festivals or special occasions. Students have frequent opportunities to interact with the outside world and enjoy considerable freedom. Relations among residents are generally positive; they are generous and helpful and come together to celebrate festivals with joy. I had the opportunity to talk to them, conduct interviews and take time to listen to their stories.

The protective factors in the rehabilitation home include:

• Exclusivity for women: The home is exclusively for women, which contributes to a safer and more supportive environment.
• High-quality dormitories: The dormitories are well maintained and have only four beds per room, providing a more comfortable and safe living space.
• Security measures: Video surveillance cameras are installed in common areas and corridors to ensure the safety of residents.
• Nutrient-rich meals: Residents receive nutritious food that supports their overall health and well-being.
• Opportunity to raise concerns: Residents have the opportunity to voice their concerns and feel heard and supported.

Risk factors include:

• Emotional and psychological preparation: Inmates may suffer from repressed emotions and a fragile mental state, so they may not be prepared for effective rehabilitation after the end of their temporary placement.
• Adequacy of skills training: The vocational training provided may not be sufficient to enable prisoners to function independently unless they are placed in work environments.
• Sociocultural context: The socio-cultural environment does not always offer security to single women. Many women do not leave home until they have found a permanent job after completing their education or through marriage.

In interviews, most of the residents expressed that they feel safer in the institution, but also feel that they are not free and do not belong to a family, which makes them unhappy. They wish for families with loving parents and regret not having parents who give them individual attention and care. The party culture in society in general makes them feel ashamed among their classmates when they cannot donate money like other students. Teenagers sometimes become rebellious and encourage and help newly admitted peers to run away.

A girl who was abandoned by her mother and left for human traffickers said that she still loves and misses her mother very much. When asked if she was angry with her mother for the suffering she had to endure, she replied that she forgives her because her mother at least chose to bring her into the world. Given the suffering she had to endure as a child, I admire her courage to forgive and love.

Another girl, who is in ninth grade, mentioned that she misses her family and loved ones a lot when she sees how her classmates’ parents take care of them. Another girl shared that if she had had a loving family, she would not be living in a nursing home.

The sisters of my congregation work to give these young women and girls the best opportunities to grow, become independent, and integrate into society and family life. However, I believe that even our best efforts cannot compare to the warmth of a loving family, where a child receives love, individual attention, and encouragement to grow.

The three months of my internship have provided me with profound life experiences as I have met women of remarkable resilience and strength. I have met strong and motivated people who are not limited to just surviving in society but also strive to succeed and reach new heights.