Started in November 2012, Tejus Home was a home for abused, pregnant teenagers. It was located in Ernakulam district in Kerala and was probably the only home of its kind in India. Tejus Home was a partnership between Dil Se and Birth for Change.
Birth for Change is a social responsibility venture (Reg. No. 104/111/2012) created by Birthvillage Natural Birthing Center. It was formed to respond to the need for quality, respectful maternal health for all women and girls, in all sectors of the population.
Dil Se was legally and financially responsible for Tejus Home.
The girls who came to Tejus Home were pregnant either because of sexual abuse or because of a consensual sexual relationship. In both situations, the girl was considered to have been sexually abused, as the age of consent in India is 18 years.
Tejus Home provided a safe space for pregnant teenagers during a difficult time in their lives—when they (and their families) were facing stigma, shame and discrimination. Tejus Home offered the girls the time and room to heal and move ahead with their lives in a non-judgmental atmosphere. Birth for Change ensured that the girls had a healthy pregnancy, the chance of a natural delivery and postnatal care for up to 6 weeks. Counselling support enabled the girls not just to survive but to thrive.
“Counselling support enabled the girls not just to survive but to thrive.”
Between November 2012 and January 2020, Tejus Home welcomed a total of 55 girls between the ages of 12 and 17 years, from various districts in Kerala. All the girls were placed there by order of their respective Child Welfare Committees (CWCs).
After counselling, the girls at Tejus Home were offered the options of keeping their baby, surrendering it for adoption or undergoing a medical termination of their pregnancy.
A total of 87% of the girls who continued their pregnancies in Tejus Home either delivered naturally (60%) or had a vaginal delivery (27%) in hospital.
After leaving Tejus Home, most of the girls resumed their schooling and then went on to college. Many of them stay in touch, and all of them have moved ahead with their lives.