Child Protection India Project #63079

Protect 1000s Children at India's Busiest Stations

by Railway Children

Project Report | Feb 20, 2026
Lost on the platform. You helped bring Surika home

By Sarah Evans | Supporter Engagement Officer

A crowded station. Four frightened sisters. A moment where everything could have gone wrong.

Until your support brought them back to safety.

Four-year-old Surika* lived with her parents, brother and three sisters in a small jhuggi (a makeshift home of mud and corrugated iron) near a railway settlement in Delhi. Her parents worked long hours as street vendors, selling clothes to get by. Despite living in the city for years, the family’s shelter lacked even the most basic facilities, and financial pressures had recently forced the children to drop out of school.

A Terrifying Separation

One afternoon, after visiting a relative to collect medicine for their son, the family boarded a train back to Delhi. As the train pulled into Delhi Cantt station, Surika and her three sisters stepped off, expecting their parents to follow. But in the rush of gathering their belongings, the doors closed – and the girls’ parents were carried away on the moving train.

Stranded on the platform, the sisters clung to one another, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Panic rose as commuters hurried past, unaware of their distress. Just as fear began to overwhelm them, a Government Railway Police (GRP) officer noticed the frightened group and stepped in.

Immediate Protection

The officer quickly contacted the Railway Children India (RCI) emergency helpline. Within minutes, RCI staff reached the platform and found the four girls huddled together, scared and confused.

The GRP officer and RCI team escorted the girls to the station office, offering warm refreshments and reassurance. Surika’s eldest sister explained what had happened, and authorities immediately began tracing the parents.

A Reunion Filled with Relief

Later that evening, the girls’ parents arrived at the GRP station, breathless and deeply worried as, with tears filling their eyes, they embraced their daughters.

After verifying their identities and completing the required paperwork, a handover photograph was taken – capturing a moment of profound relief and gratitude.

A Step Towards a Brighter Future

But support didn’t end with the reunion.

Knowing they’d been out of school for months, RCI staff visited the family at home to help all five children re-enrol in school, giving them the chance to learn, grow, and build a safer future.

Your Support Made this Rescue Possible

Surika and her sisters’ story is more than a moment of being lost and found. It’s a testament to resilience, quick action and the power of community.

Because of you, four young girls are back where they belong: safe at home, surrounded by family and returning to school with hope.

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

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Nov 3, 2025
800 miles from safety. You brought Vivaan back

By Sarah Evans | Supporter Engagement Officer

A bus station. A frightened boy. A life changed, because of you.

Ten-year-old Vivaan* lives in a remote village in Jharkhand State, India, with his parents and younger sister. Like many families in the area, Vivaan’s parents work as labourers, plucking leaves and farming when work is available. But regular employment is hard to come by, and the family struggles to meet basic needs.

Vivaan had never been to school. Instead, he spent his days helping his parents gather leaves to sell at market and playing with friends. Their home, though tiled, lacked electricity, running water, and sanitation. Drinking water came from a neighbour’s tap, and the family relied on government rations and kerosene for light.

A risky journey far from home

Facing these difficult conditions, Vivaan’s parents made a heartbreaking decision. They sent him nearly 900 miles away to Uttar Pradesh with a man from their village, hoping he could earn money working as a sugarcane cutter.

Vivaan, along with two other boys aged 12 and 14, had made it 800 miles when the Railway Children India team spotted them at Anand Vihar Bus Station. The boys looked frightened and lost.

Our team stepped in immediately, offering food, water, and emotional support. Vivaan received a medical check-up and was found to be healthy. We traced his family and contacted his father, who travelled to Delhi to reunite with his son.

A new beginning

During their meeting, our team spoke with Vivaan’s father about the dangers of child labour and the importance of education. He listened carefully and acknowledged the mistake. After consulting with the government Child Welfare Committee, Vivaan was safely returned home.

Vivaan’s father now understands the risks his son faced, and is committed to enrolling him in school. He thanked the Railway Children India team for protecting Vivaan and giving their family a second chance.

Your support made this possible. Without you, Vivaan’s story could have ended very differently. Instead, he’s back home, safe and surrounded by family, with the chance to go to school for the first time. His future is no longer defined by hardship, but by possibility.

Thank you for helping Vivaan reclaim his childhood and begin a brighter journey forward.

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

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Jul 14, 2025
Suman is safe and reunited with her family, thanks to you

By Sarah Evans | Supporter Engagement Officer

A bright and spirited 16-year-old girl, Suman* was the eldest of four siblings, studying in the 11th grade. Her world had been turned upside down a few years earlier, when she sadly lost both her parents. Suman and her siblings were then taken into the care of their uncle.

Despite the weight of her responsibilities, she remained a cheerful and hardworking student. She loved going to school, where she had friends and dreamed of a brighter future. Her uncle, despite his hardships, supported his nieces and nephews through government rations, providing shelter, water and basic necessities.

An unwelcome intrusion into a happy life

One day, an unexpected incident set her on a path that would change her life forever.

Suman had placed an online order for textbooks from an app on her friend's phone. A young man who lived nearby learned about her purchase and began harassing her online. He accused her of being involved with bad company and threatened to tell her uncle, causing Suman to panic.

Fearing the worst, Suman made a hasty decision. She couldn’t bear the thought of facing her uncle’s anger, so she decided to leave home.

Suman fled home and made her way to the bustling city of Moradabad, boarding a bus to Delhi. After a long and tiring journey, she arrived at Anand Vihar Bus Terminal. Alone, hungry and scared, Suman wandered aimlessly, unsure what to do next.

Thankfully, a kind stranger noticed her distress and took Suman to the local police station, where authorities immediately contacted us for help. Our project worker rushed to meet Suman and offered her food and water while they talked about her situation. Through this conversation, Suman shared her uncle’s phone number with us.

Reunited

The next day, her uncle made the long journey to Delhi, thankful for the support of Railway Children and relieved to have his niece back in his care – Suman was finally reunited with her family.

Thank you for making this possible – your support means Suman is ready to continue her studies and rebuild her future, with the unwavering support of her uncle and the community around her.

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

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