Refuge and homes

An important step for street-living children who are making the break from the streets is a Refuge. Children can stay here for a short while before they decide on their next move. For children who can’t rejoin their families, Toybox also supports a few family-style homes.

Refuges provide a vital temporary place where children can come and spend time in safety with round the clock practical, emotional and psychological care. Sometimes the children have been living on the streets; sometimes they are living in abusive homes and need to escape. Some of the children are getting over addictions. Refuges provide a vital transitional period from which the children can start afresh either back with their families, or find another option.

A New Family

Toybox always tries to reunite children with their families but this is not always possible or safe, especially when there is abuse or violence involved. In these cases, Toybox is committed to ensuring that children are given shelter and a secure home. Toybox supports small family-style homes which are providing a 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 – much better than government-run institutions.

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.

When they are in their late teens or early twenties, children are supported through the journey of leaving the home to reintegrate in the community, with sheltered accommodation and regular visits.

“The happiest day of my life was when I moved into a home. I have everything I ever wanted to be able to carry on my life” Alba, Bolivia