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Your impact in India: Patna

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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.

Everywhere we work in India, we 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, we extended our work along the extensive Delhi-Howrah trainline to cover the city of Patna. By intervening early in a child’s journey – before they even board a train – we can minimise 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 our work doesn’t end there. With at least 100,000 passengers travelling through Patna Junction on any given day, we know we can’t be everywhere. So, we’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, we can ensure that, rather than marking the start of a child’s journey to the streets, Patna can become their turning point.

Our work in Patna is a powerful example of how your support enables us 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.

Donate now

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 our workers tried to trace his family.

Kaafi's story