The Familia Kwa Watoto Alliance is set to host a pivotal learning exchange visit in Uganda with the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups (MoCDGWSG) of Tanzania. This initiative will take place in Kampala on August 6-7 as part of the ongoing efforts to reform the childcare system and strengthen family-based alternative care provision in Tanzania.

As the secretariate of the Familia Kwa Watoto Alliance, Railway Children Africa has collaborated with Child’s i Foundation, Uganda, to host the exchange visit and support the Tanzanian government’s commitment to child protection.

Despite the government’s efforts, there are growing concerns over the reliance on institutional care for children who have lost parental care and families at risk of separation across the country. Household poverty remains a persistent issue across the country, as well as increasing cases of violence, abuse and neglect, leading to a significant number of children living alone on the streets and in exploitative situations.

The Tanzanian delegation participating in the learning exchange includes senior officials from the MoCDGWSG, led by Minister Dr. Dorothy Onesphoro Gwajima. The Minister’s involvement provides a steppingstone towards garnering political commitment to further the care reform agenda in Tanzania, including leveraging ongoing efforts of the recently trained National Alternative Care Technical Working Group.

On August 2^nd, 2024, Minister Dr. Gwajima instructed the Commissioner of Social Welfare in Tanzania, Dr Nandera Mhando, to ensure that caregivers known as ‘Fit Persons’ receive identifications, following her review of the alternative parenting plan in Dar es Salaam.

Minister Dr. Gwajima said:

“The answers to tackling the challenges of society are at the level of the local government with the cooperation of all stakeholders to discuss those challenges, including the issue of violence against children. The identifications for caregivers across the country in various communities will be helpful to Social Welfare Officers in facilitating communication and providing prompt support to children and reduce the risk of them fleeing home to live and work on the streets.”

The learning exchange visit will also provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the strategies, policies and practices that have contributed to Uganda’s successful transition from institutional-based to family-based care systems. The itinerary includes engagements with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to discuss care reform progress, visits to institutions that have transitioned to community-based services, and meetings with foster families.

Mussa Mgata, Executive Director of Railway Children Africa, said:

“The regional learning exchange visit represents a significant step towards aligning Tanzania’s childcare systems with international best practices and the collaborative effort required to achieve meaningful change. By sharing knowledge and learning from the experiences and successes of Uganda, we hope to gain broader support for these critical reforms in Tanzania to protect vulnerable children and support family-based settings.”