Street children remain one of the most vulnerable yet underserved populations in sub-Saharan Africa, yet evidence on the effectiveness of non-governmental organisation (NGO) interventions in resource-limited settings remains fragmented. This study pragmatically evaluated the role of NGOs in addressing the fundamental needs of street children in Geita, Tanzania, a gold-mining region with high child orphanhood rates (10.5%) and poverty prevalence. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 180 staff across five purposively selected NGOs. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, and chi-square analyses were employed to assess need prioritisation, health programme delivery, and operational challenges.
Results revealed a mature but experienced workforce (67.8% with 2–3 years’ experience), with food ranked as the highest-priority need, followed by shelter and clothing, while education and psychosocial care were significantly deprioritised (χ² = 340.710, p < 0.001). Vaccination (40%) and screening/diagnosis (38.9%) dominated health programmes, but first aid and nutrition-specific interventions were markedly underprovided (χ² = 33.284, p < 0.001). Critically, 46.1% of NGOs identified chronic funding shortages as the primary barrier, alongside operational difficulties (33.9%), yet 65% reported having overcome major challenges, demonstrating notable resilience. This study provides three key contributions: empirically, it quantifies disparities in need prioritisation and health service coverage among NGOs; methodologically, it offers a replicable comparative framework for evaluating street-child interventions; and practically, it underscores that without standardised essential service packages and diversified funding mechanisms, NGOs risk perpetuating inequities.
It concludes that while NGOs deliver life-saving basic provisions, the systematic neglect of education and psychosocial support undermines long-term reintegration. Consequently, we recommend: (i) mandatory minimum service standards for NGOs receiving public or donor funding; (ii) establishment of multi-stakeholder coordination platforms to reduce duplication and funding fragmentation; and (iii) targeted capacity-building in fundraising and financial sustainability. Addressing these structural gaps is essential to transform NGO efforts from episodic charity into sustainable, rights-based support for street children.
