From life on the streets to a brighter future...
Like many children facing severe poverty, he believed leaving home might offer a way to survive, perhaps even a better future. The reality was very different. He earned small amounts of money selling tissues and car-cleaning wipes. He often went hungry and faced the daily challenge of finding somewhere safe to sleep.
Life on the streets exposed him to violence, illness and exploitation. Over time, he became increasingly vulnerable and isolated. Like many young people trying to survive on the streets, he would hide at night to stay safe, yet felt unable to return home.
For seven years, this was his life.
Later, when telling us his story, Juma told us:
“Deep down, you wish someone would come, hold your hand and take you out of that life.”
Thankfully, someone did.
Juma met a Railway Children outreach worker called Grace, who encouraged him to join our Youth Association Programme.
Through regular workshops, Juma learnt how to manage money, work as part of a team, and look after his health and wellbeing. He also received counselling to help him process his experiences of life on the streets, and took vocational training in car mechanics and vehicle painting.
Thanks to your support Juma’s life and future now look completely different.
Today, Juma is eighteen. He is living in stable accommodation, continuing his studies, and earning a small income. He now hopes to one day run his own vehicle repair workshop to help other young people who are in the same position he once was.
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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.
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Railway Children will join partners from the Rooted Futures collaboration at the 2026 Skoll World Forum to lead an interactive session on family strengthening and child protection reform.
Subira is a family project worker for Railway Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Here is an exploration of her work and the impact that it has as she supports street-connected children and reunites families.
Learn about safeguarding and how it relates to child protection on transport networks.
No child wants to survive on the streets. And, through understanding and empowerment, together, we can ensure no child has to.
