Child Protection India Project #63079

Protect 1000s Children at India's Busiest Stations

by Railway Children

Project Report | Mar 17, 2025
Kaafi's 14 month journey from alone to back home

By Heather Moore | Supporter Engagement Officer

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.

It took four months of tireless work but, eventually, our team managed to located Kaafi’s family. His parents confirmed their son was meant to be going to Delhi to study. But, shortly after leaving home the phone number of Kaafi’s guardian had gone dead and his parents were left with no way to trace their son.

Kaafi’s parents had reported their son missing and spent what money they had trying to find him but, fourteen months on, they were beginning to lose hope. After being contacted by our team, the family were overjoyed to know their son was safe. They travelled to Delhi to meet with the Child Welfare Committee and Railway Children workers to be reunited with their son.

Thanks to your support, Kaafi is now back home, settled and happy.

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

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Jan 7, 2025
Arjun is no longer scared and alone, thanks to you

By Heather Moore | Supporter Engagement Officer

We met Arjun when our team received an urgent call from the Government Railway Police about a lost child at Ghaziabad Railway Station. Arjun was just seven years old – alone, distressed and overwhelmed by the bustling platform around him.

We quickly assured Arjun that he was in safe and caring hands. We brought him to our Child Help Desk at the station, offered him food and water and created a comforting environment where he could feel secure.

As Arjun started to relax, he opened up.

A moment of panic

Arjun told us his name, age and hometown – revealing that he had travelled to Khurja Railway Station with his father, intending to visit his aunt in Noida. Amid the chaotic station, his father had stepped away to get water, and in that moment, a train arrived. Believing his father was on board, Arjun got on the train, only to realise, too late, that his father was not there. Panicked, he got off the train at Ghaziabad Railway Station – over 65 miles away – where we found him lost, scared and alone.

We immediately contacted the Government Railway Police at Khurja station, who confirmed that Arjun’s parents were desperately looking for him.

Bringing Arjun home

Arjun’s parents, along with his elder sister, were overjoyed to be reunited with him and relieved to have him back safe and sound.

But without you, things could have been very different for Arjun.

It’s your support that makes it possible for us to be there for children like Arjun in their most vulnerable moments. By providing a caring, supportive and trustworthy presence, we can ensure children feel safe enough to share the vital information needed to reunite them with their families, before it’s too late.

From Arjun, and the thousands of children like him, thank you.

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Sep 19, 2024
Durga's safe return

By Heather Moore | Supporter Engagement Officer

We want to share Durga's story with you – a powerful example of how your support has helped protect a vulnerable child and reunite her with her family.

Durga, a 13-year-old girl, lives with her parents and five siblings. Her father works as a daily wage labourer to support the family. One day, Durga left home, telling her family she was going to buy groceries. Hours passed, but she never returned.

Durga had been lured away by a man who promised her work in a paddy field. For over two weeks, she was trapped, forced to work for him while enduring physical abuse as he frequently drank and beat her. Eventually, Durga found the courage to escape. She fled by train to Delhi, arriving alone and afraid in a city she did not know.

In Delhi, a kind passer-by noticed Durga and, after learning she was lost, took her to the police station. This is where Railway Children India stepped in. Our team provided Durga with immediate emotional support at the station, as well as food and water. They contacted the police in her home district, who informed them Durga had been reported missing and that her parents were desperately searching for her.

Once her parents learned that Durga was safe, they were overwhelmed with relief. They immediately travelled to Delhi to bring their daughter home. The reunion was filled with gratitude, and Durga’s parents thanked the Railway Children team for protecting and caring for their daughter during such a difficult time.

As part of our commitment to long-term family support, we advised Durga’s parents on the importance of keeping her in school to secure her future. They agreed wholeheartedly and have pledged to prioritise her education. Our family reintegration team is closely monitoring Durga’s situation, ensuring she continues to recover from her traumatic experience and remains in school.

Durga’s journey is one of resilience, and with your support, we were able to help her find safety and hope.

Thank you for being part of the effort to protect children like Durga and for helping us make a lasting impact on their lives.

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