Youth empowerment

From survival to self-reliance

Many street-connected young people have spent years surviving without stable family support, education, or protection. For them, reintegration into childhood systems is often no longer realistic. What they need is a pathway toward independence, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods. 

At Railway Children Africa, we work hand in hand with Youth Living and Working on the Streets (YLWS), At-Risk Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), and care leavers to co-research, design and Pilot youth-led interventions. 

Young people are not just beneficiaries, their voices are very powerful to bring change into their life, to us they are active partners in identifying challenges, shaping solutions and testing approaches that address their own needs.  

The Youth Empowerment programme supports youth to transition from survival on the streets to stable, self-reliant lives. Through peer-led groups, life skills training, mental health support, and economic empowerment opportunities, participants take the lead in shaping programmes that work for them. They gain the confidence, knowledge, and practical tools to tackle their challenges, make informed choices, and build sustainable pathways to independence. 

youth association model

The programme uses a Youth Association Model, where young people participate in structured peer groups that provide support, mentorship, and opportunities for personal development. 

These youth associations create safe spaces where participants can build trust, develop leadership skills, and support one another in overcoming the challenges associated with street life, social exclusion, and economic vulnerability. 

Peer leaders play an important role in guiding discussions, encouraging positive behaviour, and helping members stay engaged in their personal development journey. 

Life skills and personal development

Through the structured life skills manual, youth receive training to strengthen their capacity to make informed decisions and navigate independent adulthood. Key areas include:

  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Decision-making and problem-solving 
  • Goal setting and personal development
  • Conflict resolution and peacebuilding
  • Sexual and reproductive health education 
  • Safeguarding awareness and protection from exploitation 
  • Social and behaviour change, including drug and substance abuse prevention 

These sessions are interactive and youth-led, equipping participants with practical skills to build resilience, positive behaviours, and sustainable independence.

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Family separation, prolonged stress, violence and unstable living conditions often place significant psychological strain on street-connected young people. These experiences can lead to mental distress such as anxiety, depression, mistrust, and emotional withdrawal. When mental health challenges remain unaddressed, they can affect decision-making, relationships, and the ability to engage in education, employment, or livelihood opportunities. 

For this reason, the programme integrates trauma-informed mental health support within youth groups, providing safe spaces, peer mentorship, and referrals for counselling.

Addressing mental wellbeing alongside life skills and economic empowerment helps young people build resilience and sustain their transition toward stable and independent lives. 

Legal identity and rights awareness

Many young people living on the streets lack essential legal documentation such as birth certificates or national identification. The programme works with government authorities and social welfare systems to support youth in obtaining legal identity documents. Access to legal identity is critical for education, employment, financial services, and participation in civic life. Youth are also supported to understand their rights and the systems available to protect them. 

Economic empowerment and livelihood

Economic independence is central to successful reintegration and long-term stability. The programme supports young people not only to start livelihoods but also to make informed decisions about their future economic pathways. 

Through structured training, exposure sessions, and trade selection workshops, youth are guided to explore different livelihood options and identify opportunities that match their interests, skills, and local market realities.

This process helps them make realistic and informed choices about the type of economic activity they wish to pursue. Participants then receive financial literacy and entrepreneurship training through the Street Business School model, where they learn how to identify viable business opportunities, develop simple business plans, manage income and savings, and understand markets and customers. 

After completing the training, selected youth receive small start-up support to begin income-generating activities such as food vending, tailoring, beauty services, or small retail businesses, enabling them to build sustainable sources of income and greater economic independence. 

Health, HIV prevention and wellbeing

Youth groups also provide health education focusing on HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and responsible health-seeking behaviour. 

Participants are linked to youth-friendly health services where they can access HIV testing, counselling, and other essential health services in a safe and supportive environment. 

Economic empowerment and livelihood

Through mentorship, group discussions, and community engagement, the programme promotes positive behaviour change. Young people build skills that support responsible decision-making, healthy relationships, and constructive participation in their communities. 

The programme prioritises family-based care as the most sustainable support system for young people. Where safe and appropriate, the programme works closely with social welfare officers and families to support family tracing, mediation, and reunification. 

When a young person expresses interest in returning to family care either with their family of origin or through alternative family-based arrangements the programme facilitates assessments, preparation, and follow-up support to ensure the reintegration is safe and stable. 

For youth who are unable to return to family care, the programme strengthens alternative community support networks and prepares young people for independent living. This includes linking them to mentorship, livelihood opportunities, and community structures that provide ongoing protection and support. 

Digital Financial Inclusion

To reinforce economic resilience, the programme equips young people with digital financial literacy. Youth are trained in practical tools such as M-Koba and M-Wekeza, enabling them to save securely, access small loans, and explore basic investments. These skills help youth manage income from livelihoods, plan, and develop habits that support long-term financial independence. Integrating digital finance ensures that economic gains achieved during the programme can continue and grow sustainably. 

Safeguarding and protection

Safeguarding is a core component of empowerment.

The programme equips youth with knowledge of their rights, safe behaviours, and reporting mechanisms to protect themselves from abuse, exploitation, and violence. Peer groups, mentorship, and community engagement reinforce protective practices, creating environments where young people can thrive safely.

By integrating safeguarding alongside mental wellbeing and economic empowerment, the programme ensures that youth are supported to make informed choices and maintain resilience even after the programme concludes. 

Building pathways to independence

The Youth Empowerment programme supports street-connected youth to transition from survival on the streets toward stable and independent lives.

Through peer support and structured training, the programme strengthens mental wellbeing by helping young people cope with stress, trauma, and family separation while building resilience and confidence. Participants also gain economic skills through financial literacy and entrepreneurship training, enabling them to identify livelihood opportunities, start small businesses, and develop sustainable sources of income. 

At the same time, mentorship and life skills sessions promote positive behavioural change, supporting responsible decision-making, healthier relationships, and stronger community integration.

Together, these elements help young people build the stability and skills needed for long-term independence. 

Strengthening support systems for life beyond the programme

The Youth Empowerment programme is designed to create lasting impact beyond the project cycle.

Through peer-led youth groups, life skills training, and economic empowerment, young people build capacities that support long-term independence. Family-based care, mentorship networks, and community linkages are strengthened so that protective systems remain in place after the programme ends.

By combining practical skills with supportive social structures, youth are empowered to sustain their livelihoods, maintain positive behaviours, and continue their development independently. 

Monitoring, Assessment and Impact

Our Youth Empowerment programme actively tracks progress and supports each young person to thrive independently, safely and productively.
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Railway Children Africa

We believe in a world where no child ever has to live on the streets.

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