Saving hundreds of street children in Tanzania

NEW SKILLS; NEW HOPE

In her words, Bahati* has a ‘difficult street background’. And with challenges to her health, she didn't hold out much hope for the future. But then she heard about Railway Children's Youth Association programme that provides young people in Tanzania, aged 15-24, with the skills, means and confidence they need to start earning an income and taking control of their lives.

FROM BLEAK TO BRIGHT - VIA BAKITI!

"I am proud that I can now produce and manufacture products on my own," says Bahati who has learnt to make and sell soap and bakiti (a fabric used to produce clothing).

But it's not just income-generation that our Youth Associations bring. Through weekly meetings, members take part in sports and recreational activities and help support each other through difficult situations. Youth Associations also help young people develop confidence and build life skills around punctuality, communication and behaviour, as well as creating opportunities for young people to ensure their voices are heard, and equipping them to speak out.

"They taught us the proper ways to live and interact and made us known in various circles – even in government circles."

THE FUTURE'S BRIGHT

Now, empowered, enabled and with a group of supportive young people around her, Bahati is looking forward to a bright future.

And she's so inspired by how the Youth Association programme has changed her life that she's become an ambassador for the programme, encouraging other young people who are once where she was to experience the same transformation.

Your support doesn’t just change one life, it breaks cycles of poverty and abuse, and makes incredible changes that ripple through communities and generations - thank you for making that happen.

Links:

• Find out more about our work in Tanzania