India, July 29 -- When we discuss how we can better support vulnerable children, the conversation often centres on policy and infrastructure. While those are necessary, they are only the skeleton of a solution. The heart of any child care system, the part that actually brings it to life, is the mother. In our country, we have a long and beautiful tradition where the family is the foundation of everything.

For a child who has lost that foundation, the world becomes a loud and terrifying place. You cannot fix that with a dormitory or a rotating shift of staff. You fix it with a person who stays. In these cases, a foster mother who provides a strong and caring presence is the only thing that can truly make a difference in their lives.

A mo...