Railway Children India: an NGO for children fighting against child exploitation

IN the midst of busy railway stations and bus stops, a grim reality unfolds for countless lost and runaway children. Faced with abuse, starvation and the looming threat of trafficking, these vulnerable children navigate dangerous territories, putting their lives at stake. But Railway Children India is an NGO for children who stands as guardians, actively working to rescue, rehabilitate and reunite these children with their families. This blog delves into the commendable efforts of Railway Children India and their crucial fundraiser aimed at saving the lives of lost children.

The harrowing journey of lost children

When children lose their way back home, the consequences can be devastating. They find themselves exposed to abuse, starvation and danger at busy railway platforms and bus stops. To illustrate this horrific reality, Railway Children India is an NGO for children that takes the time to tell the stories of the children it rescues. Vijay’s story serves as a poignant example. Unable to find his way home, Vijay ended up working at a hotel where he endured daily abuse. Fueled by desperation, he followed the railway route to Ghaziabad railway station, risking falling into the clutches of dangerous abusers.

The perils of the railway platforms

The founder of this NGO for children is Navin Sellaraju who sheds light on the alarming reality faced by children like Vijay. Every five minutes, a child takes the railway route, arriving alone at India’s railway stations, placing themselves at high risk. Shockingly, less than 50% of these children are found, rescued or reunited with their families. The rest face a bleak fate – trafficking, sexual exploitation, death or disappearing forever.

Railway Children India’s response

Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, Railway Children India is an NGO for children that operates 24-hour outreach teams stationed at railway platforms. These dedicated volunteers identify children who are alone and at risk, swiftly sending them to shelter homes. These shelters provide short-term accommodation for those with nowhere safe to stay and offer long-term care for those whose families cannot be traced. To support Railway Children India, you can donate here. 

The holistic approach adopted by this NGO for children goes beyond immediate rescue. Railway Children India ensures that the children receive psychosocial support to help them recover from the trauma, along with medical assistance, education and vocational training. The ultimate goal is to trace and locate their families and reunite the lost children with them, offering a glimmer of hope in the darkest of circumstances.

Challenges amplified by lockdowns

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns exacerbated the challenges faced by runaway children. Railway Children India is an NGO for children that, like many, witnessed a surge in cases with most of the affected children falling within the age group of 12 to 16 years. During the pandemic, this NGO for children found that the alarming trend heightened the urgency for rescue and protection. Founder Navin emphasized that reaching these children at the earliest increased the likelihood of rescuing them from exploiters and traffickers.

Financial strain on Railway Children India

The commendable work undertaken by Railway Children India comes at a cost. The NGO for children spends approximately ₹60 lakhs annually through their help desk and shelters across various locations. As the numbers of lost and runaway children continue to grow, Railway Children India is an NGO for children that faces a dire need for financial support to sustain and expand their operations.

Fundraiser for hope

To address the financial challenges, this NGO for children launched a crucial fundraiser on Give.do. The funds generated will contribute towards rescuing India’s railway children from the clutches of exploitation and trafficking. Each contribution plays a pivotal role in providing these children with the support they need to reclaim their lives.

The noble fundraiser by this NGO for children aims not only to reunite these children with their families but also to provide essential services such as trauma counseling, nutrition, education and shelter. The overarching goal is to prevent these vulnerable children from disappearing forever into the abyss of exploitation and despair.

The urgent call for support

Navin Sellaraju of this NGO for children passionately appeals for support, emphasizing that the sooner they reach these children, the higher the chances of rescuing them from exploitation. The railway stations and bus stops serve as perilous crossroads for these children and the funds generated from the fundraiser are instrumental in ensuring they find their way back home.

Contributions to the fundraiser of this NGO for children will make a significant impact on the lives of these children, offering them a chance at a brighter future. The financial support garnered will enable Railway Children India to sustain their vital initiatives, ensuring that no child is left behind and lost forever. 

Support this noble NGO for children on Give.do 

Railway Children India’s tireless efforts to rescue, rehabilitate and reunite lost and runaway children exemplify the power of compassion and collective action. The fundraiser of this NGO for children is not just a call for financial support but an invitation to be part of a life-changing mission. Each contribution serves as a source of hope, illuminating the path for vulnerable children to find their way back home, away from the clutches of abuse, starvation and trafficking. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that no child disappears forever into the shadows of despair. To support Railway Children India, you can donate here.

–

Give’s mission is to “make giving bigger and better.” Give is the most trusted donation platform in India for fundraisers and crowdfunding campaigns. Through our technology solutions, we enable individuals and organisations to fundraise and donate to a cause, charity or NGO with trust and convenience. Give’s community of 2.7M+ individual donors and 300+ organisations supports 3,000+ verified nonprofits with 80G deduction and serves 15M+ people across India. Find a fundraiser today!

Team Give

Give exists to alleviate poverty by enabling the world to give. Established in 2000, Give, together with its partners, is the largest and most trusted giving platform in India. Give enables individuals and organizations to raise and donate funds conveniently to any cause they care about, with offerings including crowdfunding, corporate giving, cause marketing, and philanthropy consulting. Give’s community of 2.6M+ donors supports 3,000+ verified nonprofits, serving 15M+ people across the country.