Toybox Crafts items have been produced by communitites in Latin America and help to provide a steady and reliable income for those who make them. All of the groups we work with are paid a very decent wage and are taught skills and new technicques to ensure that all Toybox gifts are made to the best of their ability.

All of the people who make our products rely on Toybox orders as one of their main sources of income. Most of them are women who do not have the opportunity to get a normal job because they have to look after their children, and often because there aren't any jobs to be had.

Semilla de Dios - El Salvador

La semilla de Dios provide us with all the wooden items in the Toybox craft range. The unique and beautiful crosses are one of our best sellers, and the addition of the charming treasure boxes and houses for 2009 has proved very popular with our supporters.

Read about Semilla de Dios

Neri's Story

Neri lives in the 'California' area of Lima, Peru, where she works with Toybox partner, the Zoe Jewellery project, in the heart of Lima's Shanty towns. When Neri first worked at the Zoe workshop, she was very withdrawn and shy and did not say much, but over time she gradually started opening up, smiling and chatting.

She was discovered to be extremely talented and now not only teaches the other women new skills, but also leads the local workshop. Her self esteem has changed completely and she is now outspoken and full of fun! She produces the jewellery in her own home, giving her more time to look after her children.

A few months ago Neri was able to replace her old house, which was dilapidated and made of plywood and cardboard, with a brand new prefabricated house.

Holga's Story

Holga (pictured right) lives in Cusco, Peru. She works as a knitter with her two sisters who taught her the skills she uses to make the Toybox hats. Holga, her husband and two children live in a couple of rooms in her parents' house, and she works there from her bedroom.

She sells some of her items on a small stall in the local market, but Holga says she often feels exploited when she has to accept orders from local wholesalers who pay very little and then sell the goods on for a greater profit than she could get from her stall.

Now that Toybox is working with her and is able to offer her a much better price for her goods, she will be able to move to a home of her own with her family.

Mauriceo and Florencia's Story

Another couple that have been making handicrafts for the Toybox range is Mauriceo and Florencia. They live on the edge of Cusco in Peru, but originally come from a mountain community 3 hours outside Cusco. The mountain community work together to weave the material to send down to Cusco where Mauriceo and Florencia turn it into pencil cases, purses and other items.

By using the traditional mountain woven materials, the Toybox orders not only benefit Mauriceo and Florencia, but also provide extra income for the mountain community. The income helps the community buy extra food to add to their predominantly potato diet, which is all that will successfully grow at such high altitude. For Mauriceo and Florencia, the income means that they can provide for their children. They moved to Cusco so their children could get a good education – one which was non-existent high up in the mountains.

The income from the Toybox orders will enable them to buy school materials, uniforms and pay for the cost of sending their eldest son to university.

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Maria's Story

Maria lives in Santiago Atitlan, a village at the edge of lake Atitlan. Maria is a mother of two, but was widowed as a result of the violence in the country that claimed her husband’s life.

Having suffered the loss of her husband, she set about getting together a group of 25 women to design and sew stoles. From the sales of these items, she is able to earn money to support her children and her elderly parents with whom she lives. The majority of the other women who work with her are working women from the community, each struggling to make ends meet on meagre incomes.

Thanks to the orders and the sales of these stoles through Toybox, the women of Santiago Atitlan can provide for their families and rely on a steady source of income for the future.

Click here to see our range of stoles