Long-term care for ex-street children

When a child comes off the streets, they need care and support. (See more information about Rescue here) Where possible, we always seek to reunite children with their families. (See more information about Reintegration here). In some situations where violence or abuse are involved, it is not always safe or practical for the children to go back to their families. In these cases, Toybox is committed to ensuring that those children are given shelter and a secure home. Toybox supported homes provide that loving environment for children who have been orphaned, abandoned, or for whom returning home is not an option. They are places of fun, laughter, sharing and growing.

A New Family

Here the children not only find a home but a new family with a 'mum' and 'dad' and up to 15 brothers or sisters. They also have help from teachers, psychologists and social workers as they continue to deal with issues from their traumatic past and build a future. All the children are cared for holistically. They receive an education, good healthy meals, and a sense of belonging to a family, surrounded by people who love them.

Life skills are taught and encouraged so that they can re-enter society. When they are in their late teens or early twenties, children are supported through the process of leaving the home to reintegrate in the community, with sheltered accommodation and regular visits. It is hoped that they will always feel they are 'part of the family.'

One young lady who spent approximately five years in one of our girls' homes after being rescued from the street, is now married and has a baby of her own. The skills she learnt whilst living in the home and the education and training she received, have prepared her for this time. She works as a beautician and has a husband who adores her. She says "I want to give my baby everything I lacked in my childhood - most importantly, love. Thank you for your care."

Go back to: What We Do
Go on to: Family Reintegration - School and Vocational Training

“I give thanks to God for having put you in my path; it’s been a great blessing for my life. I am in Shalom home and very content to be part of it.” Claudia

“When you get to this place you can see the smiles and hear enthusiastic conversations from its bubbly children. You get there and you are greeted with smiles, kindness, hugs and salutations everywhere; you don’t want to leave.” Home staff

“Here at the Home I’ve learned many things; respecting and loving people not by an obligation but because they gave me much love and they stood by me all the time. All along the five years that I’ve lived here, people have helped me and every time that I remember my life on the streets, I treasure what they do for me and for all of us who live here. I want to be a good person and in the future I want to be a lawyer to help people who are victims of injustice. When I grow up I´m going to be a good father and not let anyone mistreat my children.” Guillermo