Protect 100s Children at Tanzania's Bus Terminals

A Risk Taken for the Sake of Family

When Asha* (16) and Amina* (14) left their home, they carried nothing but determination.

Their mother was raising four children alone, working tirelessly yet still struggling to provide enough food, let alone school fees. The girls believed that by travelling to Dar es Salaam to find work, they could help lift their family out of hardship.

A friend had promised them good jobs. But, when they arrived at Magufuli Bus Terminal, the person who was meant to meet them never appeared. Lost, frightened and alone in a bustling city, the sisters wandered the terminal with no idea where to turn.

A Timely Intervention

A compassionate bus agent noticed the two girls and sensed something was wrong. He guided them to the Social Welfare Service Desk – a small act of kindness that changed everything.

There, Asha and Amina shared their story. They spoke of their mother’s struggle, the days without enough food, and their desperate hope to help their family survive. Staff immediately recognised the risks the girls faced and referred them to a temporary shelter for protection.

For the first time in days, the sisters had a safe place to sleep. Through psychosocial counselling, they began to understand that their safety, wellbeing and education mattered far more than any job they could find at their age. They also realised how deeply their mother must have been suffering, not knowing where her daughters had gone.

A Reunion Filled with Relief

With support from Railway Children Africa (RCA), the girls were able to speak to their mother over the phone. Her tears of relief said everything – she had spent sleepless nights searching, praying and fearing the worst.

RCA worked with the Village Chairperson and the local community to trace the girls’ family and assess their home environment before safely reuniting Asha and Amina with their mother.

So began a new chapter filled with healing and possibility.

Strengthening a Family’s Future

Reunification was only the first step. The family still faced significant economic challenges, and their mother needed support to rebuild stability.

RCA provided business training and seed funding to help her start a small vegetable stall. Drawing on experience in small trade, she expanded into selling fish and vegetables around the village, slowly but steadily restoring her income and independence.

Meanwhile, Asha and Amina discovered a passion that surprised even them.

Inspired by activities at the shelter they’d stayed at, they dreamed of becoming fashion designers. So, soon after arriving home, RCA enrolled them in a tailoring apprenticeship, providing them with the tools and training to begin shaping their future.

You Turned Fear into Hope

Today, the sisters are thriving. They are learning to design, sew and imagine a future far brighter than the one they left home to find. Their mother is proud, motivated and deeply grateful for the support that helped her family stand strong again.

“We want to be the best designers in our region,” Asha and Amina say – a bold, confident dream that reflects just how far they’ve come.

Because of you, two young sisters are no longer lost at a bus terminal. Instead, they are building a future full of confidence, creativity and hope.

* Names changed and models used to protect identities.

Links:

• Find out more about our work in Tanzania

Meet Martha, a bright, resilient young girl whose journey has been shaped by courage and transformation. Once facing the harsh realities of life on the streets, Martha’s story has taken a powerful turn, and it’s all thanks to your support. Today, she stands as a symbol of hope and empowerment, with a future full of possibility.

At just 15, Martha was found wandering the streets near the busy bus terminal in Mwanza, alone, vulnerable, and unsure where to turn. Our outreach workers, who regularly patrol the area to protect children at risk, stepped in to help.

Martha had been forced into domestic labour after her grandfather, her sole carer, could no longer afford to support her and her three siblings. When she was falsely accused of stealing from the household where she worked, she fled, ending up on the streets.

Despite everything, Martha was determined to find a way forward.

Her grandfather stitched fishing nets to earn a living, and Martha inherited his talent. She dreamed of designing clothes, earning an income, and helping her family. If only she had a sewing machine.

Finding Support

Moved by her resilience, the Railway Children Africa team provided immediate relief: food, education supplies, and emotional support. We worked with Martha and her grandfather on long-term solutions, enrolling Martha in tailoring classes and giving her the sewing machine she’d long wished for.

Martha threw herself into learning. “Now I know how to sew, I sell hairbands and buy lotion and sandals. I even helped my grandfather buy big fish, instead of eating sardines always,” she says.

Looking Ahead

Today, the family are well fed, well clothed, and Martha’s siblings are thriving at school. Martha’s skills, and her refusal to give up, have transformed their future.

Your support made all the difference. Without it, Martha might still be on the streets. Instead, she’s building a business, supporting her family, and stitching a future filled with hope.

Thank you for helping Martha, and other children like her, reclaim her childhood and create a brighter tomorrow.

*Name has been changed and models used to protect identities.

Links:

• Find out more about our work in Tanzania