Railway Children Africa

In recognition of the contribution of 600 exercise books to more than 100 children with disabilities, Railway Children Africa has been awarded a certificate of appreciation by the District Commissioner, Honourable Joshua Nassari.

The certificate was presented to our family worker, Adam Mashimba, by Mr Amandusi Lucas, Magu District Community Development Officer.

Kwa kutambua mchango mkubwa uliotoa kwa watoto wenye mahitaji maalum katika Wilaya ya Magu, RCA ilipewa cheti cha shukurani na Mkuu wa Wilaya ya Magu, Mheshimiwa (Joshua Nassari). RCA iligawa (Daftari 600) vyenye thamani ya kwa (…watoto wenye uhitaji na wenye ulemavu kutoka kata moja wapo wilayani Magu.

Cheti kilikabidhiwa na Mr Amandusi Lucas (DCDO) kwa niaba ya mkuu wa wilaya.
Adam Mashimba (family worker) alipokea cheti kwa niaba ya Shirika.

Staff from our Dar es Salaam team recently visited the District Executive Director of Rufiji District Council, Simon Berege, with the aim of launching the ACT Parent Programme in Ikwiriri-Rufiji.

The purpose of the programme is to empower caregivers with positive parenting techniques and share knowledge on child protection within the community, with the hope that it will reduce the number of children coming to the street.

Katika jitihada za kupunguza wimbi la watoto wanaoishi na kufanya kazi mtaani wafanyakazi wa Railway Children Africa walifanikiwa kukutana na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Wilaya ya Rufiji kwa dhumuni la kuzindua programu ya malezi ya ACT iliyopo Ikwiriri-Rufiji. Programu hiyo inalenga kutoa mafunzo kwa wazazi juu ya malezi na ulinzi wa mtoto ili watoto wasitoke nyumbani kwenda mitaani.

🌎 On World Youth Skills Day, we're highlighting the importance of empowering young people with essential skills to reach their goals through education, entrepreneurship and employment.

Through our Youth Associations, 15 to 24-year-olds are equipped with various skills and supported to build sustainable livelihoods through workplace training and small business start-ups so they can become self-sufficient and valued members of their communities. 🎓 💼

Tanzania Bora Initiative
HER Initiative
Tanzania Youth Empowerment Association
Mwanza Youth and Children Network - MYCN

Last week, we attended a meeting with stakeholders from Dar es Salaam who are involved in the protection of children living and working on the streets, organised by the Assistant Commissioner for Social Welfare, Mr. Baraka Makona.

The Assistant Commissioner called for stakeholders to collaborate with the Ministry of Community Development, Women, Gender and Special Groups to implement a plan of action that addresses the issues of street-connected children.

Wafanyakazi wa RCA walishiriki kikao cha afua za ulinzi wa watoto wanaoishi na kufanya kazi mtaani kilichoandaliwa na Kamishna Msaidizi Bwana Baraka Makona, Ofisi ya Mkuu wa Mkoa, Ilala Boma.

Kamishna Msaidizi aliwataka wadau kushirikiana na Wizara ya Maendeleo ya Jamii, Wanawake, Jinsia na Makundi Maalum na kuwa mstari wa mbele kutekeleza mpango kazi wa kushughulikia suala la watoto wanaoishi na kufanya kazi mtaani.

Hilda, our family worker, and Judith, our Legal and Child Protection Officer, attended a four-day training course on mental health, psychosocial care and support services this week in Mwanza.

Officers from the Police Gender Desk, local shelters and Social Welfare Officers also participated in this important training, organised by SOS Children's Villages Tanzania. The knowledge and skills gained will help us to better support vulnerable children, boost their self-esteem and improve their mental wellbeing. 💚

Hii ndo Hitimisho ya mafunzo ya siku nne ya mental health, psychosocial care and support services. Hilda (Family Worker) na Judith (CPO) pamoja na wadau mbali kutoka makao ya watoto na maafisa ustwai. Mafunzo yameratibiwa na SOS na Idara ya ustawi wa jamii.

Last week, participated in the commemoration of in Dar es Salaam.

The annual event honours and celebrates children of African descent while raising awareness of the issues affecting them and the continuing need for improvement in their education. The guest of honour, the Regional Commissioner, Hon. Albert Chalamila, emphasised the importance of children's participation through sports and play and advocated for the rights and welfare of all children in Tanzania.

We facilitated the participation of children rescued from the streets, who received a donation of school materials from the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Hon. Mwanaidi Ali Khamis. Such donations are crucial in supporting the education of vulnerable children in Tanzania, which was in line with the theme of this year's celebrations: “Inclusive education for children should include quality education, values and life skills.”

UNICEF TANZANIA
World Health Organization Tanzania
UNFPA

Railway Children Africa ilishiriki katika maadhimisho ya kitaifa ya .

Siku ya Mtoto wa Afrika ni tukio muhimu linaloongeza uelewa kuhusu masuala yanayowaathiri watoto barani Afrika. Maadhimisho ya Siku ya Mtoto wa Afrika ni jukwaa muhimu katika kutetea haki na ustawi wa watoto wote barani Afrika ikiwemo Tanzania. Mgeni rasmi, Mkuu wa Mkoa wa Dar es Salaam, Mheshimiwa Albert Chalamila, alisisitiza umuhimu wa ushiriki wa watoto kupitia michezo na hasa wakati wa maadhimisho.

Railway Children Africa ilifanikisha ushiriki wa watoto waliookolewa wakati wakiishi na kufanya kazi mtaani katika maadhimisho hayo. Watoto hawa walipokea msaada wa vifaa vya shule kutoka kwa Naibu Waziri wa Wizara ya Maendeleo ya Jamii, Jinsia, Wanawake na Makundi Maalum, Mheshimiwa Mwanaidi Ali Khamis. Michango k**a hiyo ni muhimu katika kusaidia elimu ya watoto walio katika mazingira hatarishi nchini Tanzania ambayo inarandana na kauli mbiu ya mwaka huu; "Elimu Jumuishi kwa Watoto Inapaswa Kujumuisha Elimu Bora, Maadili, na Stadi za Kazi."

We believe that education is not a privilege, but a right for all children. 🏫 📚

Every child deserves the opportunity to go to school to learn, play and explore – and that's why, through our family reintegration model, we support street-connected children to return to education so they can fulfil their potential.

Children like Daudi*, who we supported to reunite with his family and re-enrol in school after spending time on the streets. "Going back to school was a mix of excitement and nervousness. With the support of Railway Children Africa, I gained the confidence to catch up on my education and pursue my dreams."



*Name changed to protect identify

This week, Railway Children Africa is collaborating with the Government of Tanzania on care reform workshops to ensure more children have the right to grow up in a family environment.

The aim of the workshops is to establish a clear roadmap to provide more supportive and protective systems for vulnerable children and their families. We have brought speakers from across the region including Child's i Foundation in Uganda and Hope and Homes for Children Rwanda to talk about how care reform has progressed in their countries, together with a range of speakers from across Tanzania, all with experience of supporting children in family-based care.

Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3xeC6dK

UNICEF TANZANIA Pamoja Leo Maendeleo ya Jamii

This week, we celebrated 33 adolescent girls and young women who have graduated from the Street Business School! 🎓

Empowered with various skills such as beauty, tailoring and culinary arts – with the equipment they need to start their own business – these inspiring entrepreneurs are on their way to building a brighter future. ✨

Ubungo Manispaa

“Children who stay with us are all different. We always try to overcome challenges together and treat them as if they are our own grandchildren. We show them care and talk to them about their experiences.”

Catherine and Rosa* are 'fit persons' who provide temporary foster care for children in need of a nurturing family environment. As mothers and grandmothers themselves, they know the love and support that children need to thrive. After receiving training from our family workers and Government Social Welfare Officers, Catherine and Rosa have provided a loving home for several street-connected children before family reunification.

"We like working with Railway Children Africa because they are always there if we need anything for the children and they come to visit us regularly. It can be very emotional when the child leaves because of the bond we have. Sometimes we will stay in touch with the family, and I enjoy hearing about when the child is doing well,” says Catherine.

Thanks to the generosity and caring nature of people like Catherine and Rosa, more children have a safe, supportive environment where they can reach their potential. 💚

*Names changed

We were pleased to be part of a justice actors meeting involving police, Social Welfare Officers, national prosecutors and medical professionals to discuss issues relating to child protection.

The meeting involved training on PF3 medical examination forms and safeguarding children during legal proceedings. Together, we are working to advocate for children's rights to make sure they are safe and supported at all times.

Our Child Protection Officer, Judith, represented Railway Children Africa in the provision of Presidential criminal justice commission recommendations with guest of honour, the Inspector General of Police.

We’re proud to be considered key stakeholders on issues relating to juvenile justice and by working with the police, we can help to protect more children on the streets and advocate for their rights. 💚🌟

POLISI JAMII TANZANIA

Thank you to regional gender police officer, Faraja Mkinga, who has been helping to display awareness campaign materials at the new Police Gender Desk office in the Nyamagana District.

By working together to raise awareness, we can encourage everyone in the community to play their part to protect children at risk.🤝

This year, on International Day of Families, we're celebrating the crucial role that families play in creating a nurturing environment for children to grow and thrive.

We believe family-based care enhances the sense of belonging which underscores every child's right to feel accepted and valued in society. Our experience tells us that children have greater wellbeing and better lifelong outcomes when they grow up in safe and supportive families and communities.

However, many families in Tanzania are facing increasing challenges that prevent them from being able to provide nurturing care, with limited access to education, healthcare and basic social services. This leads to children heading to the streets where they are vulnerable to exploitation, violence and abuse.

To build a society where everyone feels valued and accepted, regardless of their circumstances, all children must have the opportunity to grow up in a loving family environment. Your support can make a difference in the lives of these children and help shape a better future for us all. 💚

"I think it’s important for a child to grow up in a family – a family gives you a sense of belonging."

Meet Mary, our Programme Manager.

Mary believes the best place for a child to grow is in a family environment, so, along with her team, she dedicates her time to supporting families across Tanzania to build a safe and nurturing home.

Whether it's through helping a family work through issues so a child is less likely to run away, enabling parents to set up their own business to provide for their child or helping secure a place for a child in an alternative, family-based setting, Railway Children Africa supports families – whatever they look like – to not only stay together but to thrive together.

"It is important for a child to grow up in a family and to know that they are cared for and protected. We support families to provide that for children, so children grow up knowing that they matter in this world, that they are someone, that they are seen and that somebody is thinking about them and concerned about their well-being. And that contributes to who they become." 👨‍👨‍👧‍👧💚

We recently supported a group of young people from our Youth Associations to get a driving licence (car, motorcycle and Bajaji) so they can earn an income and become self-sufficient.🚖 🛵

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their goals, and we're proud to work with some amazing young people who are making this a reality. 🌟

"I always feel happy to be among the people that helped changed a child’s life story."

Meet Anitha, one of our street outreach workers.

"Whenever I help to rescue a child from harm and abuse from the street, it makes me feel good knowing I was part of the reason for someone’s safety. The best part of my job is when I hear a story of a child being in a better position and progressing well with his or her life in their family and at school."

Anitha's role involves identifying new children on the street and enrolling them into the programme so they can access services, such as healthcare and education. She also helps to provide temporary shelter for vulnerable children and advocates for their rights to the local community and other stakeholders.

"I feel honoured to be able to work with children whose lives could have been in danger if it wasn’t for Railway Children. The approaches we use motivate me because they deliver positive and long-term results for children and their families."

Railway Children Africa We believe in a world where no child has to live on the streets.

Last week, we celebrated International Day for Street Children with SOS Children's Villages Tanzania, government officials and other collaborators committed to supporting street-connected children.

The guest of honour, the Secretary to the Government of Dar es Salaam Province, Dr. Toba Nguvila, spoke about the extra efforts that are being made to strengthen child protection systems to reduce violence against children and prevent them from turning to the streets.

As part of the commemoration, Dr. Toba also launched Railway Children Africa's new website! We’re excited to finally share our new modern platform – take a look here: https://bit.ly/3xMiePi

Maendeleo ya Jamii

Meet Shufaa and her three-year-old sister, Nazani.

Until recently, the sisters had never met: Shufaa (now 13) was taken from her mother when she was just four years old – before Nazani was born. So, when Railway Children project workers reunited Shufaa with her mother, they also helped prepare Nazani to meet the sister she never knew.

Project workers spent time with Nazani both before and after Shufaa came home – using games to help break the ice and build a positive relationship between the sisters.

It’s just one way that our project workers are there for the whole family for as long as it takes. 💚

What does home mean to you?

A roof over your head? A place to belong? Being with family? Home-cooked food?

Whatever it is, let us know in the comments below.

For children living and working on the street, these dreams of home, that most of us take for granted, are just that – longed-for dreams that remain out of reach.

David* knows first-hand the transformation that seeds can bring...

When David was seven, his parents separated – leaving him and his three siblings to be taken in by their grandmother. But with no support, she struggled to meet the family’s basic needs, leading David to head to the streets to try to earn some desperately needed income.

However, life on the streets did not provide the solution David hoped for. Instead, acquiring what little food and money he could by begging, he slept rough and was often beaten by older boys.

Thankfully, after two years, he was referred to Railway Children Africa. Our outreach workers helped reunite him with his grandmother and siblings and, crucially, provided the family with agricultural support.

Now, the family have more than enough food to eat, and can sell their surplus crops to earn an income. As a result, his siblings are back in school, and David is enrolling to train as a mechanic, to build a better, brighter future for himself. 💚


*Name changed