How Our Team’s Persistent Efforts Brought teenage Meera Back Home

A Cry for Help at 13

On a June afternoon, 13-year-old Meera* was found wandering at Ghaziabad Railway Station, when our alert outreach members spotted her and protected her just in time. After due process, she was safely restored to her mother through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). But this was only the beginning of a long and difficult journey.

The Struggles at Home

During a Case Management Meeting held later in June, Meera’s vulnerabilities came into sharper focus. The Family Reintegration Team, which took over her case, identified three major risks:

* A chronic tendency to run away
* Taking money from home without informing anyone
* Irregular attendance at school

These risks painted a picture of a child struggling to find stability and connection.

When Fear Led to Flight

Soon after, another incident made her fragile state of mind evident. Meera stole ₹300 from a classmate and, as a result, was suspended from school. Terrified of the consequences, she ran away—this time to Agra. Days later, her family received a call from a Child Care Institution (CCI) in Agra, informing them that she was there. Relieved, her family brought her back home.

But Meera’s restlessness continued. Not long after her return, she disappeared again—this time with ₹4,500.

A Mother’s Plea, a Team’s Intervention

When Meera’s mother went to the police to file a missing persons complaint, Meera’s record of repeatedly running away deterred them from filing one. In that moment of helplessness, the Railway Children India case worker stepped in.

Engaging directly with the police, the case worker stood by the mother, insisting that Meera’s disappearance be taken seriously. After persistent follow-up, an FIR was finally registered. To widen the search, the team also ensured that Meera’s missing information was published in a local newspaper.

Gratitude in the Midst of Crisis

For Meera’s mother, this intervention was a lifeline. With deep emotion, she expressed her gratitude to the team, sharing that without their support, the police would not have acted. She felt heard, supported, and no longer alone in her fight for her daughter.

Walking the Road Ahead

Meera’s story is far from over. Her repeated attempts to escape reflect deeper struggles—fear, mistrust, and a disconnection from school and family. Moving forward, Railway Children India’s case worker will continue to support Meera and her family through psychosocial interventions, trust-building exercises, and guidance to help her reconnect with her education.

Meera is more than the label of a “runaway child.” With patience, persistence, and the right support, she has the chance to rewrite her story.

*Name and details changed to protect the confidentiality of the child.