Givesters On Ground: Palna – the cradle for unwanted babies

I reached Palna around 11:00 am. The cradle outside the gate caught my eye – a place where anyone can leave a child anonymously. Palna has also received children from individuals, the police and hospitals. The staff of Palna shared heart-wrenching stories, recounting instances where newborns, only a few hours old, were brought to Palna.

Seeing the cradle, I felt mixed emotions – sadness for the abandoned babies but relief that they found Palna, a safe place. Inside, surrounded by trees, were separate buildings for the home, school and office.

How babies arrive at Palna

My first interaction was with the Executive Director of Palna, who guided me through the entire process. Children received through the cradle undergo a thorough medical check-up in the in-house medical unit. Subsequently, they are reported to the police and the Child Welfare Committee. She outlined the various services and facilities provided to the children at Palna, including basic education, counseling, special care for children with disabilities, adoption-related matters and the challenges faced in running Palna.

I then proceeded to the Palna home, adjacent to the office building, where I observed separate rooms for children with disabilities, those under 3 years old and those who are older. The room for children with disabilities is equipped with special medical equipment and two full-time nurses provide round-the-clock care. 

Since I arrived in the morning, many older children had already gone to school and only a few children who were not in good health were present in their rooms. All the rooms were clean and well-maintained, adorned with clean bedsheets and ample sunlight. The children were neatly dressed and well-fed. The staff were playing and interacting with the children, but always keeping an eye on them.

Palna’s medical care for infants

All the infants were on the first floor with a special room resembling an ICU, where newborns brought to Palna are kept under observation. Every month they receive 10-15 infants. The nurses were diligently attending to the babies, who were all kept in cradles. 

One particular story that I still remember is of Pallavi, who, covered in a polythene bag, was left at the cradle a few days after her birth. Despite her initial frailty, the Palna doctor and nurse provided complete care and now – she is healthy. Her captivating smile still lingers in my memory.  

But Palna’s care doesn’t end with immediate medical attention. The organization gives the children regular nutritious meals, education, happy childhoods and a platform to build strong futures. In this short video, Dr. Veronica Shah, the Senior Consultant Physician at Palna, explains how babies are abandoned – and the transformation they undergo at Palna:

A lasting impression

I was impressed by the team at Palna, be it nurses, caretakers, teacher, counselor or office staff. What stood out to me is the strength, dedication and unity of their team. Everyone treats the children as if they were their own family. I also had the opportunity to meet the school teacher and counselor, who know each and everything about each child. The health and learning progress of each child is well-documented.

As I departed that day, I was left with a feeling of profound sadness that a child can be abandoned at the doorstep of an NGO – yet I was filled with gratitude that organizations like Palna extend their hands to receive these children, care for them and give them better childhoods and futures filled with hope.

Support Palna

To learn more about Palna and support their noble effort to care for abandoned infants and children, consider making a donation to help the NGO care for more little ones. To lend your support to Palna:

Support Palna

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