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Your impact in India: Patna

Making Patna a turning point for children at risk of exploitation.

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Nestled along the south bank of the River Ganges, in the state of Bihar, lies the ancient city of Patna. This politically and culturally important city is the state capital and home to around 2.5m people. The city is a hotspot for children who are running away… but also for those who wish them harm.

Date: 26th February 2025 | Author: Lucy Carman

Extending support in India

Wherever Railway Children work in India, they come across children who began their journeys in Bihar. These children have run away for all kinds of reasons. Some are escaping violence, abuse or early marriage. Others are seeking a better life away from lack of food and unsanitary living conditions. And others are drawn by the promise of excitement and a chance to earn money – not realising the reality is very different.

That’s why, in 2024, Railway Children India extended their work along the extensive Delhi-Howrah trainline to cover the city of Patna. Intervening early in a child’s journey – before they even board a train – minimises the chances of them becoming lost to the streets, to abusers or to traffickers.

There for children

How we work with children across India

In 2024, Railway Children India’s local team set up outreach interventions at three of Patna’s busiest train and bus stations. Around the clock, workers identify and support vulnerable children – providing food, water, medical care, emotional support and family reunification.

Our team then work hard to reunite children with their family. Where this isn’t possible, we reintegrate them into family-based care. Once they’re home, our family workers will continue to support the families to ensure the child remains safe, nurtured and educated.

The turning point

But with at least 100,000 passengers travelling through Patna Junction on any given day, Railway Children India can’t be everywhere. So, they’re also training 250 rail and bus stakeholders – including police, station workers, drivers and ticket inspectors on child protection, child rights and government-standard operating procedures.

Together, they’re ensuring that, rather than marking the start of a child’s journey to the streets, Patna can become their turning point.

The work in Patna is a powerful example of how your support enables Railway Children India to be there right at the start of a child’s journey – and prevent them being lost to the streets for good.

£116 could fund an outreach worker at a busy transport station for two weeks, ensuring more children are seen, safe and supported, before it’s too late.

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Thanks to you, Kaafi is safely at home.

When ten-year-old Kaafi boarded a train in Bihar with a contact of the family, he thought he was on his way to a new school. Instead, on reaching Delhi, he was forced to work long hours in a shop for no pay.

After 10 months, tired, scared and missing his family, Kaafi ran away. But without money or a plan, he only got as far as Delhi’s busy Anand Vihar railway station.

Thankfully, he was spotted by police before he could come to serious harm and was placed in a childcare institution while Railway Children workers tried to trace his family.

Kaafi's story

A woman dressed in orange stood with her son in a school uniform at their home in India.

Your support changes lives

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Your impact in 2024

*Names have been changed and models used to protect identities.

Your money will be used wherever the need is greatest to support children across India, Tanzania and the UK.

A group of Railway Children staff and rail industry partners stand together at a busy railway station to raise awareness of the charity’s work supporting vulnerable young people. The team are pictured in front of departure boards and ticket barriers, alongside banners promoting Railway Children’s mission to ensure no child is lost to the streets.

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