At Railway Children Africa (RCA), every day is an opportunity to invest in the potential of young people. On this International Youth Day, we proudly celebrate the resilience, determination, and transformation of street-connected youths aged 15 to 24, who have lived on the streets for extended periods and for whom family reunification is not an option.
Through our Youth Association Model, a participatory, peer-led approach, we empower young people to transform their lives from vulnerability to independence. Youth Association Model is not just a program; it’s a journey of hope, self-reliance, and community.
Our approach focuses on building strong peer support networks where young people encourage, challenge, and uplift each other. Through weekly meetings with our dedicated youth workers, young people embark on a five-stage journey of transformation. It begins with identification, where we reach out to eligible young people during street outreach. This is followed by formation, where behavioural change, election of leaders, individual and group goals setting, and meeting structures are introduced for them to facilitate their own meetings.
Next comes capacity building, equipping participants with essential life skills and creating employment opportunities to help them work towards independence. As they progress, the empowerment stage enables young people to take greater ownership of their growth while staff involvement gradually decreases. Finally, the disengagement stage supports them in achieving full independence, with stable income, secure housing, and overall wellbeing.
Every step is a victory, from the moment a young person is identified during outreach, to the day they proudly live independently, thriving in their community.
“I now see myself as a winner. The support I received from Railway Children Africa has opened my eyes and shown me the path to achieving my goals. I no longer live on the streets. Through capacity building training , I was able to save enough money to rent a room, and today I have a safe place to call home”
This International Youth Day, we honour the courage of these young people, their willingness to embrace change, and their determination to build brighter futures. We also salute our dedicated staff, partners, and supporters who make these transformations possible.
When we invest in youth, we invest in the future. Together, we can ensure that no young person is left behind, no matter where their journey begins.