The Toybox vision is of a world with no street children

Toybox supports specialist, indigenous teams for the rescue, restoration and reintegration of street children in Latin America. We work with children who are living on the streets, and with children who are at high risk of becoming street children.

Our work is carried out in four main ways: Rescue, Future Building, Prevention, Campaigning for Change

Rescue

Every day the teams we support in Latin America are meeting the most urgent needs of children living and working on the streets. Street educators search out the most vulnerable children living on the streets, seeking those in greatest need. They offer friendship, food and first-aid to the children; and the opportunity to come off the streets into places where they will be cared for and loved.

Future Building

Supporting and helping children to find their place in society. Children who have come off the streets are in need of tools for the future. Toybox provides the means of an education, vocational training and in many cases, a stable environment in which to learn. By equipping children with these life skills, they can start a new life in society with fresh hope for the future.

Prevention

Toybox believes that prevention is better than cure. We work with children who are at ‘high risk’ of becoming street-living children, giving them support and education through our network of community projects. These high risk children are children who live in extreme poverty, who live in prisons, working children, children who have suffered physical and mental abuse and those who have been abandoned or orphaned – all of which are factors that could push children out onto the streets.

Campaigning for Change

To make a lasting difference, we need an environment where vulnerable children and their families are supported, and street living children are protected and provided for. This means changing government policies and practice, communities and families. Toybox Child Ambassadors lead campaigns to raise awareness and call for change. This is one of the key ways that we empower children to speak up for their rights.

Read More:

Rescue: Rescue – Red Alert – Refuge – Jenifer's Story

Future Building: Family Reintegration – School & Vocational Training – Homes

Prevention: High Risk Projects – Family Work – Ambassadors – Josue's Story – Toybox Project List

Campaigning for Change: Latin America – UK

Further Information:

Why there are street children
Street children facts

Street children in Guatemala
Street children in Bolivia
Street children in Peru