The Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, has launched a new initiative aimed at supporting children living and working on the streets, known as the Children in Street Situation (CiSS) project. The project will be implemented in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Mwanza, focusing on providing education, skills training, and life opportunities for street-connected children.
Speaking during the launch on August 25, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Dr. Gwajima emphasized the government’s firm commitment to ensuring that “no child is left behind” and that “every child, regardless of background or environment, enjoys the right to protection, care, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
She noted that children in street situations are “among the most vulnerable groups in our society,” facing daily risks that affect their safety, health, education, and overall well-being. The CiSS project, she said, will strengthen government efforts to rescue and support these children.
“I commend SOS Children’s Villages International and its partners for the vision and dedication they have demonstrated through the CiSS project. Since its inception in Ethiopia in 2022 and its expansion to Tanzania and Rwanda in 2023, this project has shown how coordinated efforts in rescue, rehabilitation, family reintegration, and inclusion can restore hope to children who have lost their childhood to life on the streets,” said Dr. Gwajima.
She added that the Tanzanian government, through the Ministry, has prioritized the protection of street-connected children and is currently developing a National Action Plan to address this issue.
“This plan will serve as a comprehensive framework for all stakeholders. The expert input and practical experience of SOS Children’s Villages Tanzania and other partners are essential to ensuring that the plan reflects the realities and innovative solutions needed,” she stated.
Dr. Gwajima also underscored the importance of collaboration: “The government remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a safe environment for children through policies, laws, and various programs. However, government efforts alone are not enough to bring lasting change. We must work closely with civil society, religious institutions, communities, families, and, most importantly, the children themselves. Through this inclusive and sustainable partnership, we can make meaningful and lasting progress in protecting the rights and well-being of every child.”
Commissioner for Social Welfare, Dr. Nandera Mhando, noted that the Department of Social Welfare continues to work with multiple stakeholders to remove children from street life by developing robust systems and plans that support them to live like children in families.
“We are committed to establishing strong mechanisms that ensure these children transition from the streets into safe, supportive family environments,” said Dr. Mhando.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, Deputy Regional Director of SOS Children’s Villages for Eastern and Southern Africa, Bedilu Shegen, highlighted the broader objective of the CiSS project across Africa.
“This project aims to assist children in African countries who are facing the challenges of living and working on the streets by providing them with essential services and life skills,” he said.
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