Prevention Projects

Who are high-risk children?

Our prevention work involves supporting vulnerable children as well as those who are already living on the streets. High-risk children include:

• Children living in poverty
• Children living with domestic violence
• Children who have to live in prison with their families when a parent is in jail
• Abused and neglected children
• Working children
• Orphans

Toybox-supported projects are working with these groups, providing education, protection, confidence building and practical support for these children. We also work closely with the families of these children to try and create a stable environment for them to grow up in.

Using local knowledge

There are many small initiatives that are working with children at risk in the cities of Latin America. Local people know the best ways to work in their communities. This is why Toybox supports networks of local projects. The project staff are all trained and resourced by Toybox so that they can provide more and better support for the children that need it most.

Ingrid's Story

Ingrid is a cheerful girl with a big heart - unless you knew her story you would not be able to imagine the things that have happened to her.

Ingrid is from a large family who are very poor. Both her parents work all day, and cannot care properly for their children. Ingrid was not wanted by her parents, and her mother in particular has been very abusive towards her throughout her life. She has a scar on her nose that is the result of a blow from her mother. To this day her parents are rejecting her.

"I wish my mother showed me a little bit of affection and that she didn't punish me anymore, because she makes me feel very bad", Ingrid says.

Ingrid attends one of the projects that is part of the Lima network supported by a Toybox in Lima. The project provides counseling and psychological support, food, educational support care, and the chance to simply play and be children.

The project leaders are also working closely with Ingrid’s parents to try and help them accept their daughter and treat her well. It is hoped that one day they will change, and Ingrid will feel safe and happy at home. Until that time, the project is a place of safety where she can come and get counseling, support, food and the chance to be a child again - free from worry and fear.