Tanzania – Children Living In Street Situations

Dar es Salaam has over 2900 children living in street situations, with 47% of the children living on streets lacking even basic services (Railway Children, 2021). In 2022, SOS Children’s Villages carried out a situational assessment and stakeholders mapping of children living and working on the street in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. From this, we know that only 25% of these children receive support from their own families, with another 22% being supported by Civil Society Organizations. In addition, the study showed high levels of neglect, with over 60% of the children reporting living alone on the streets, as well as high levels of alcohol and drug abuse.

This programme aims to reduce the number of children in street situations in Dar es Salaam, with SOS Children’s Villages leading a collaborative taskforce. This taskforce includes the James Foundation, Railway Children, the Ministries of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups and the Tanzania Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, alongside important religious groups and community-based organisations. Working collaboratively ensures the effectiveness and sustainability of the programme, and therefore the best outcomes for the children.

Through this taskforce SOS has created a protection system using a multifaceted strategy. This strategy includes rescue, rehabilitation, family reunion, employability skills for 14–17-year-olds, and family and community advocacy. Frontline workers must first create a relationship with the children before enrolling them in the project. Next, each child’s needs will be assessed, a care plan created, direct services provided, and referrals made to the appropriate services. The strategy seeks to meet the physical, economic, educational, and psychosocial needs of rescued children if they are not able to be reintegrated into their existing families. Another part of the programme focuses on prevention. By empowering families to care for and protect their children while supporting them to increase their incomes, SOS can prevent children from being forced onto the streets in the first place.

Lastly, the programme will also strengthen government policies and laws that address children in street situations. This goal will be accomplished through continuing to develop a coalition and network, doing research and documentation for evidence-based advocacy, influencing the government to enhance resources for children in street situations, and influencing government policies in this area.

Overall Goals

• To improve the rights and welfare of approximately 200 children in street situations in Dar es Salaam.
• Children living and working in streets receive quality care and protection in a family care environment.
• Systems, structures and families prevent and respond to the prevalence of children in street situations.

Photo: Hans Fredrik Svartdal