Subira is a family project worker for Railway Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We recently spoke to her about her work and the impact she has on street-connected children and their families.
Author: Hannah Shakespeare | Date: 22nd July 2026
I have worked for Railway Children Africa for 5 years. My current role focuses on family work, but I also support street and youth work. I am responsible for reuniting children with their families living in Dar es Salaam. This involves exploring the reasons of separation and finding solutions for separation, before reuniting the children. As I begin tracing families, I also assess the risks and potential mitigating factors that will support reunification. The process involves collaborating with local government authorities and government social welfare officers working around the child’s place of origin.
I am inspired to work with street-connected children since I consider it to be more than just a job. I feel compelled to work for the welfare of my community especially for the vulnerable members. I feel empathetic towards children who suffer violence and that triggers me to act to protect them from suffering.
The favourite part about my job is seeing the joy that families experience when they are reunited with their children. Some parents, especially those whose children have been on the streets for a long time, often think that their children are dead. So, when I bring their children back, to them, it is as though I have brought them back to life. Seeing the joy they express brings me great satisfaction. I also enjoy bringing families back together and supporting them to mend the tears that tore them apart.
My work deals with changing parents and children’s behaviour to resolve family conflict. That takes time. Sometimes families are not patient and that adds to the pressure. It takes its toll on a me, especially since my emotions get involved.
I recall meeting a child with his father who worked in the streets. I needed to reunify the child with the mother, since living with the father would mean that the child would continue to be exposed to the streets. The case challenged me since the child had lived on the street for a while and he had a lot of behavioural issues to address. With the right support, the child was willing to be reunified with his mother, changed his behaviour and although it was initially thought that he was at high risk of going back to the streets, he never did. The child now lives happily with his mother, and he is in school.
This case taught me that if you never give up on a child, there is still room for them to change their attitude and be saved from life in the streets.
While working with RCA, I am changing my community’s attitude towards street connected children, who are seen as a nuisance. It includes changing the minds of even decision makers. The work I do also proves that when a child is provided with a loving and caring family environment, they are able to change and transform to obedient children. I have seen it happen.
Hundreds of Railway Children supporters raised £46,256 across two of the charity’s flagship autumn events – walking London’s Piccadilly Line overland and taking on a climb, cycle and kayak route through the Lake District.
The three-day route took cyclists from Ebbsfleet International to Dover, Dover to Brighton and Brighton to London Waterloo, raising vital funds to support vulnerable children.
Railway Children will feature in a special BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal this September, shining a light on the challenges faced by street children in Tanzania and the life-changing support available through our work.
Discover how charitable giving can reduce inheritance tax, support the causes you care about and potentially leave more for your family and favourite charities.
Kinship care enables children to stay with relatives or trusted family friends when they cannot live with their parents. Find out why it matters and how Railway Children supports family-based care across the UK, India and Tanzania.
We’re proud to highlight how our initiatives are empowering young girls in vulnerable communities.
