#10 Transforming Lives: Dr. Kiran Modi's Journey with Vulnerable Children in India

Send us Fan MailA childhood moment of terror when separated from her parents for mere minutes sparked Dr. Kiran Modi's lifelong mission to transform care for vulnerable children across India. What follows is the extraordinary story of Udayan Care, an organization Dr. Modi founded in 1994 after visiting over 150 childcare institutions. Rejecting the prevailing model of large, isolated orphanages, she pioneered the LIFE (Living in Family Environment) approach—creating small, community-integrated homes where children receive individualized care and form lasting attachments. Most revolutionary is her "voluntary mentor parents" system, where committed adults pledge lifelong relationships with these children, creating the stability so desperately needed by those who've experienced family disruption.Dr. Modi's insights on trauma are particularly powerful. "Trauma lodges in your heart," she explains, challenging simplistic notions of recovery. Rather than pretending trauma can be erased, Udayan Care focuses on building resilience and coping mechanisms while acknowledging that for many children, the emotional scars remain. This realistic, compassionate approach permeates everything from their therapeutic models to their comprehensive aftercare programs supporting young people transitioning to independence.The impact is extraordinary—operating in 36 cities across 15 Indian states, supporting over 16,000 girls in higher education, training 30,000 youth in vocational skills, and pioneering India's first care leavers networks. But perhaps most remarkable is how Dr. Modi bridges practice and policy, turning frontline experiences into research that drives systemic change. Her work establishing BICON (Asia's largest platform for care reform) and an international academic journal demonstrates how thoughtful integration of service, research and advocacy can transform child welfare systems. Kiran’s Bio Kiran has a PhD in American Literature from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.Kiran founded Udayan Care, a non-profit organization, in 1994. Since then Udayan Care has delivered programs at national and international level, with a focus on family strengthening and care reform. Under Kiran’s leadership, Udayan Care now operates in 36 cities across 15 states in India and has international chapters in the USA and Germany. Kiran developed the LIFE (Living In Family Environment) model for group homes, initiated aftercare programs, and launched the Udayan Shalini Fellowship, which has supported over 16,000 girls in higher education. Kiran also established 24 IT and Vocational Training Centers, training over 30,000 youth.Kiran has pioneered several initiatives including BICON, Biennial International Conference on Alternative Care for Children in Asia, (BICONs), Asia’s largest platform for care reform; an international journal, ICB, Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond, and related initiatives. Kiran led India’s first care leavers study, resulting in new programs and the formation of the country’s first care leavers’ network, as well as a global network of care leavers. Kiran is a recipient of many prestigious awards, including the National Award for Child Welfare - India's highest commendation for a non-profit child welfare organisation,&Links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSecureStartPodcasthttps://www.udayancare.org/DisclaimerInformation reported by guests of this podcast is assumed to be accurate as stated. Podcast owner Colby Pearce is not responsible for any error of facts presented by podcast guests. In addition, unless otherwise specified, opinions expressed by guests of this podcast may not reflect those of the podcast owner, Colby Pearce.Support the show