Partnership Announcement: Railway Children Africa and Martin James Foundation

Martin James Foundation — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 10:02:28 +0000

Mobilising a movement towards family-based care in Tanzania

Martin James Foundation (MJF) is proud to announce a new partnership with Railway Children Africa (RCA) through an initiative called Mobilising a Movement Towards Family-Based Care in Tanzania. This partnership aims to address the critical challenges faced by street-connected children in Tanzania, providing them with the opportunity to reintegrate into family and community after living on the street and in orphanages.

About Railway Children Africa

Railway Children Africa is a National NGO registered in Tanzania where they have had a presence since 2006. RCA is affiliated to Railway Children charity registered in the UK which as a group delivers vital support to vulnerable children and their families in the UK, Tanzania and India. Since 2010, they have been working to improve the lives of street-connected children and young people through street outreach, family intervention, reunification and youth empowerment programmes.

Context

Tanzania is one of the fastest-growing economies in East Africa, but poverty reduction is not yet keeping pace. Over 24 million people live in extreme poverty, defined by the World Bank as surviving on $2.15 or less daily. Families face constant stress, which increases the risk of relationship breakdown and violence, creating significant challenges for children, with many ending up in institutional care or living on the streets. Despite a strong cultural emphasis on family, family-based care options for vulnerable children remain limited, and institutional settings, such as orphanages, have often become the default solution.

Amidst these difficulties, thousands of children migrate to urban centres in search of a better life, only to encounter violence, exploitation, and exclusion from essential services like education and healthcare. Young people leaving alternative care also face limited support to transition to independence, increasing their vulnerability. RCA addresses these challenges by tackling root causes of vulnerability and providing holistic, child-centred support to rewrite futures and drive systemic change in Tanzania.

Project Approach and Activities

A core focus of the project will be building capacity within long-term residential care centres. With coaching and support, the project will enable the reintegration of children into safe, nurturing family environments. Key decision-makers, including government officials, will be trained on regulations, promoting family-based solutions and alignment with national standards.

For young people transitioning out of care, RCA will work with residential care centres to deliver tailored aftercare support, equipping young people with the tools and confidence to thrive beyond care.

The project will also support the Care Leavers Association of Tanzania, recognising the need to support young people leaving care and the vital role of those with lived experience of care in shaping the future of care reform. By amplifying their voices and experiences, the Association will help drive meaningful, inclusive change while building the foundation for its independent registration in the future.

Recent Care Leavers research findings will be shared with the broader public to further advocate for care reform. Through events and targeted dissemination efforts, the project aims to foster a greater understanding of the challenges care leavers face and encourage support for a shift toward family-based care.

Conclusion

MJF is grateful to support and invest in this important project, and we are honoured to join RCA in the work they have been dedicated to for years with street-connected children and families in Tanzania. By combining our efforts, we aim to build on their strong foundation, strengthen existing practices, amplify impact, and drive meaningful change towards family-based care.

Quotes

“At Railway Children Africa, we envision a world where no child ever has to live on the streets. Our enduring collaboration with the Government of Tanzania has been dedicated to keeping children off the streets and reuniting them with their families, in alignment with Tanzania’s national care reform agenda. We are thrilled and honoured to partner with the Martin James Foundation to continue making a profound and lasting impact on the lives of these vulnerable children and families. Together, we are building a brighter future, one child at a time.”

Mussa Mgata, Executive Director, Railway Children Africa

“We are delighted to partner with Railway Children Africa, an organisation that has been steadfastly supporting vulnerable children and families in Tanzania for nearly 15 years. This partnership marks an exciting opportunity for the Martin James Foundation to engage with a new country and learn from a new partner whose unique and locally-rooted approach resonates deeply with our mission. We are particularly inspired by their focus on empowering young people and care leavers to shape the future of care reform. By working together, we hope to amplify their incredible work and contribute to meaningful, sustainable change for children and families in Tanzania.”

Ailsa Laxton, Director of Global Programmes, MJF

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Partnership Announcement: Railway Children Africa and Martin James Foundation