ACT PARENTING

Safer families. Safer childhoods.

Violence, neglect, and family breakdown are among the leading causes of children migrating to the streets. Prevention starts at home. Railway Children Africa delivers the ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Raising Safe Kids Programme to strengthen parenting skills and reduce the risk of family separation.

Programme Overview

The ACT Raising Safe Kids Programme is a research-based curriculum developed by the American Psychological Association. It supports parents and caregivers of children aged 0 – 8 to create safer, more nurturing home environments.

Since 2018, Railway Children Africa has implemented ACT Parenting as a preventative intervention. The programme supports:

Families of reunified children
Households identified as at risk of separation
Communities in hotspot areas

We work in partnership with Local Government Authorities (LGAs) and Social Welfare Officers to identify and support vulnerable families.

What the programme involves

ACT Parenting is delivered through structured group sessions co-facilitated with Local Government Authorities (LGAs).

Parents learn to:

Understand child development
Manage anger and reduce harsh discipline
Build positive communication and attachment
Prevent violence and abuse
Strengthen emotional regulation
Support healthy brain development in early childhood

The group format creates peer support networks that continue beyond the sessions.

We work closely with Social Welfare Officers to identify families at risk and co-deliver the programme.

SINCE 2018...

parents trained across 78 groups who also received Village Savings and Loan Association training

children reached through the ACT parenting programme

total number of reunifications achieved through direct work, partners and the Social Welfare and Services Desk

WHY IT MATTERS

Prevention is protection.

By equipping caregivers with practical skills, knowledge, and ongoing support, the ACT programme helps to:

Case study: Rebuilding Trust At Home

Asha (name changed) was reunited with her 8-year-old son after he had spent days living around transport hubs in Dar. The return home was tense, conflict and mistrust resurfaced quickly.

Through the ACT Parenting programme, Asha learned non-violent discipline techniques and emotional regulation strategies. She began setting consistent boundaries without physical punishment and developed new communication skills.

Within months, teachers reported improved behaviour and attendance. Asha now co-facilitates community discussions on positive parenting, transforming her experience into support for others.