Equipping children with skills for the future

Many street-involved children have never had the opportunity to go to school. Others do go, but their school work suffers because they also have to work long hours on the street, or have a difficult home life.

Breaking the cycle of poverty

Educational support is a vital part of the Toybox prevention strategy. With education, children are much less likely to migrate to the streets. They can also develop the skills and abilities that they need to get good jobs when they are older and lift themselves out of poverty.

Learning at every age

Almost all of the individual projects that Toybox works with have an educational element of some kind. This includes:

• Educational play, learning games and play therapy for young children.
• Time and extra help with homework and school work – very important for high-risk children.
  
• Vocational training for older children
  
• Formal schooling at a few projects.

School in Latin America

In most Latin American countries, there are three school shifts – morning, afternoon and evening. This means that children can work on the streets and attend school, although their school work suffers when they get over-tired. Many network projects provide support for children when they aren't at school, offering homework support and a place to come and study instead of being on the streets or alone at home.

Go back to: What We Do

Here are some of the thoughts of the children about the education they are able to benefit from in Toybox-supported projects:

"What I like most here are the teachers we have and what they are teaching us to use the computer. Now I always do my homework, and since then my grades have improved." Juan Javier, Bolivia

“Now I have the opportunity to study, to study a career. I want to help other children like I have been helped here.” Rosalia, Bolivia

“I am going to school. A long time ago, I had to leave school to work in the streets for money. Now I am happy to continue with my studies and I really feel very happy here.” Kenys, Peru