Beginning her career as a teacher, Dr Shilpa has now devoted her life to work for orphaned children. Through her NGO, she works to place such children with foster parents. As a member of the Child Welfare Committee she also looks after all the issues related to orphans.

Dr Shilpa Mehta hails from Udaipur. She is the Founder and President of the Foster Care Society. She has also been selected as a member of the Child Welfare Committee where she has magisterial level powers and where she looks after child-related issues. She is also a teacher, trainer, counselor and social worker.

Her NGO, Foster Care Society works to place the children living in Child Care Institutions or orphanages with foster families where they get normal love and care and a family environment.

Shilpa’s career journey started 13 years ago when she started teaching students. In 2008, she joined an NGO-Foster Care India, which was a turning point in her life and career. She says there were lots of challenges but she also learnt many things. Due to  some unforeseen circumstances, that NGO had to close. She was devastated about what would happen to the children which she had placed with foster families. Then, her husband and some colleagues supported her and she formed her own NGO.

Shilpa’s success mantra is to have patience and perseverance and to never quit. She believes in the saying “You only fail when you quit.” She says she had to face many negative comments and criticisms but she never gave up.

Her role model is the person who was behind Foster Care India where she used to work before setting up her own NGO. He inspired and encouraged her a lot and is still like a mentor to her.

Shilpa feels that there are still many things in society which need to change. She laments that NGOs have a negative image in society. She thinks there are many untouched social issues which need a lot of work.

Shilpa and her NGO have been able to place 18 children with foster families. Although, they had more than 2000 inquiries but due to their strict selection criteria they could select only 18 foster parents.

Shilpa says she has faced hard times in her career. Winning people’s trust was not easy. Besides, dealing with bureaucratic hurdles was also a tough task. In the beginning UNICEF helped them set up their organisation. When they started their NGO in 2017, they needed funds and manpower, which they gradually got. She is happy that now they have gained recognition. Authorities from 5-6 states have visited them to understand their working.

Shilpa’s message for youngsters wanting to join this field is that they must have a lot of patience and good communication skills. They should be prepared to persevere. They should also be prepared to work in the field as the social sector is not an office or clerical job.

She requests everyone to spread the concept of foster care.