Makkala Dhama

A sanctuary for children

An estimated 152 million children worldwide are engaged in child labour, with India accounting for about 7.3% of this number. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 100 million girls were projected to marry before turning 18 within the following decade. The pandemic has placed an additional 10 million girls at risk of becoming child brides. In India, at least 1.5 million girls under 18 are married each year — making the country home to the largest number of child brides in the world.

Children - especially girls - remain vulnerable to school dropouts, trafficking, early marriage, pregnancies, and various forms of abuse and violence. Without adequate protection and access to education, healthcare, and supportive environments, they face lifelong risks of neglect and deprivation, with lasting social and economic consequences.

In these circumstances, there is an urgent need to ensure that every child experiences a safe, nurturing, and development-oriented childhood.

Our project envisions creating a nurturing and empowering space for children who have experienced adverse life conditions. The core of our vision is to rebuild lives with care and dignity, ensuring that children are protected, receive education, healthcare, emotional support, and a platform to rebuild their dreams. We use a child-centric approach, combining structured systems, trained caregivers, community engagement, and professional services to create long-term impact.

Located in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, Makkala Dhama is a flagship program of Sparsha Trust that provides multi-dimensional development opportunities for girls from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. This residential centre, with a capacity to house 450 girls, operates in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Act (2018) and offers a safe, nurturing environment for education, care, and holistic growth.

Identifying and enrolling children through referrals from CWC (Child Welfare Committee) and other stakeholders.
Improving health status by providing nutritious food, health care, age appropriate physical and mental development activities.
Providing experiential and comprehensive learning activities on campus.
Providing career guidance, exposure trips, internship opportunities and support for higher education.
Providing support for job placement and family integration.

Since its inception, the program has reached a total of 307 children, creating meaningful and lasting change in their lives. The key outcomes include:

100% academic result achieved for the academic year 2024–25
22 children have successfully secured jobs and are now financially independent.
48 children have completed or are pursuing an undergraduate degree in various professional streams, such as: o Arts & Commerce o Engineering o Paramedical Sciences o Aviation o Law (LLB)
4 children have pursued a post-graduation degree
1 child is preparing for the Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) exam.
2 children are studying to become Chartered Accountants (CA).

In the next five years, our aim is to:

Expand our outreach to ensure that a greater number of vulnerable children receive the care, protection, and opportunities they deserve.
Develop and strengthen after-care programs to support young adults transitioning out of institutional care, helping them lead independent, dignified lives.
Deepen our engagement with government bodies, NGOs, and community stakeholders to co-create sustainable child protection systems.
Leverage innovative technologies to enhance education, therapeutic interventions, and child development outcomes across our centres.
Replicate and adapt our successful models in other regions through strategic collaborations and knowledge-sharing platforms.
Integrate the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) into our education framework, offering flexible and inclusive learning pathways for children.

Child Protection

Health & Nutrition

Experiential Learning

Career Pathways

Testimony

“At Makkala Dhama, I discovered a safe and nurturing space where I could explore my interests beyond studies. I’ve learned art, craft, and especially singing, something I never had the chance to pursue before. This environment has helped me grow with confidence and joy.”

- Aishwarya8th Grade