“Children learn what they live.”
– Dorothy Law Nolte
If children grow up surrounded by care & opportunity, they learn to believe in a better world.
A world where their next meal is assured, not questioned.
A world where their education doesn’t take a back seat in the face of poverty
And a world where quality healthcare is a given, not a privilege
This world is no dream. This world is a reality only 17 steps away, or 17 Sustainable Development Goals away.
These 17 integrated goals, which aim to balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. With the vision of every individual enjoying peace and prosperity derived from the fulfillment of these vital goals by no later than 2030, several countries have committed to prioritising SDGs.
However, for thousands of vulnerable children, fleeing from danger, abandoned, or even lost, and hundreds more who live on the margins of society, in urban slums and among migrant families, poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to quality education are unflinching, daily realities.
At Railway Children India (RCI), we believe that real progress is only possible when children are protected, families are supported, and communities are strengthened. That’s why our work across stations and communities contributes directly to several SDGs.
Through powerful stories, data-driven insights, and snapshots from the ground, #RCIforSDGs aims to highlight the seamless alignment of our extensive programs and the seven key Sustainable Development Goals. Here’s how:
1. SDG – No Poverty x RCI’s Holistic Approach
Poverty for a child doesn’t just mean lack of money; it means skipping meals, missing school, and losing out on childhood itself. At RCI, we work with families as one unit; therefore, we tackle child poverty with a holistic approach. Beginning with targeted nutritious meals and ration kits, we extend our support by linking families to government welfare schemes and supporting livelihoods through skill development and access to vocational training as well.
2. SDG – Good Health and Well-Being x RCI’s Routine Health Camps in Communities
Access to quality healthcare shouldn’t be a privilege; it should be an inalienable right. With our guiding principle set firm in this belief, Team RCI conducts routine health camps. Bringing doctors, medicine, and preventive care straight to children and their families, these camps address everything from eye infections to menstrual health. Lastly, in a bid to empower families with the assurance of lifetime access to quality healthcare, we assist families in securing government-issued Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) Cards—a unique 14-digit number that serves as a digital health ID.
3. SDG – Quality Education x RCI’s Skill-Focused Informal Education Hub & Formal Education Assistance
When poverty enters a home, education is often the first thing to go. RCI steps in before it’s too late, helping children rejoin school, setting up safe learning spaces in Child Activity Centres, and counselling parents to see education not as a luxury, but as a lifeline. We follow through each enrolment or obstacle to enrolment with school kits, admissions help, and vocational training for young adults.
4. SDG – Gender Equality x RCI’s Power Girls
In many homes, boys are sent to school while girls are expected to cook or marry young. We challenge this every day. Through girls’ groups, parent workshops, and strong community engagement, RCI is changing the narrative. Menstrual Hygiene Awareness and Karate Training Sessions further empower girls with the right knowledge and skill set, so no hurdle holds them back.
5. SGD – Decent Work & Economic Growth x RCI’s Empowering Livelihood Opportunities
Children belong in classrooms, not in workshops or behind food stalls. RCI works hand-in-hand with transport authorities and protection units to rescue child labourers and prevent trafficking. But our work doesn’t stop at rescue; we also empower families with skills and livelihoods, so they’re never forced to send their children to work out of desperation.
6. SDG – Sustainable Cities and Communities x RCI’s Safety Net Across Transport Hubs
Cities are meant to be places of opportunity, but for vulnerable children, they can become hubs of risk and exploitation. That’s why RCI works at the heart of India’s busiest transport hubs, i.e., railway stations and bus terminals, to make them safer, more aware, and child-friendly. We train railway staff, engage vendors, and support migrant families to ensure that every corner of the city holds space for its youngest residents.
7. SDG – Partnerships for the Goals x RCI’s Strong Collaboration with Stakeholders
Whether it’s collaborating with the Indian Railways or training railway officials, we partner with varied stakeholders to strengthen the response to child protection. Our belief in the power of collective action drives our partnership with local authorities such as the Child Welfare Communities and District Child Protection Units to achieve a common goal: a country where no child is left behind.
Stay tuned to dig in deep into each of RCI’s action-packed efforts that bring us closer to the global SDGs.
