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This year We supported over 67,416 street children and their families

Annual report | 2022
Introduction

Welcome From the chair and CEO of Toybox

The last three years have brought unique challenges and this year has been no different. Programme activities are still suffering the lasting effects of COVID and the cost of living crisis has been especially hard for the children and families we support, many of whom are already living hand to mouth.

As always, we’ve risen to the challenge. This year, despite managing expenditure very tightly, we’ve been able to get more money to our international partners through sensible use of our reserves. Thanks to their great work we’ve directly supported just less than 10,000 children – that is 333 classrooms filled with 30 pupils. Without your support, none of this would have been possible.

Lynne I am always delighted by the numbers of births we have registered, 2,794 this year, but I have also been really pleased to see the 139 children we helped navigate their country’s judicial systems.

Ian I am delighted to see the high numbers (1,498) of parents and caregivers receiving positive training sessions, it is wonderful to see these people determined to create a better home life for their families.

Thanks for taking the time to read this report. May God bless and protect you this following year.

Read more

Ian Gray

Chair of the Toybox Board

Lynne Morris

CEO of Toybox

Ian Gray

Chair of the Toybox Board

Lynne Morris

CEO of Toybox
Impact

Impact What we’ve achieved

Covid, Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis

The challenge

This year we continued to face the lingering effects of Covid. Towards the end of the year, we started to see the challenges of the cost-of living crisis and the beginnings of the impact on the communities we work with.

This year

Despite ongoing the effects of COVID-19, most of our activities remained on track. Many programme activities were carried out in a similar way to pre-Covid, particularly with schools gradually re-opening and restrictions being reduced. Due to their success some adaptations made during Covid have continued. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, we’ve been able to accommodate budget increases without reducing the scale or quality of our work.

The impact

67,416 children, young people and families supported directly and indirectly
24,945 children and young people supported directly and indirectly
9,974 children and young people supported directly

Birth registration

The challenge

Without a birth certificate, children who were not registered are denied access to government programmes and emergency assistance in response to COVID-19.

This year

We’ve registered even more children and young people than last year. By providing their birth certificates and other legal documents (for example, identity cards) they’re able to access government social services such as health, education, emergency support and employment. We also advocated for policy change to enable street children and young people to receive COVID vaccinations and birth certificates.

The impact

2,794 children and young people now have legal identity documents
1,850 children, young people and adults obtained their birth certificate
122 adults supported to obtain their legal identity documents

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

In Nepal, the Birth Registration process for children in street situations is a long drawn-out struggle as each case is unique and often interpretation of the policy on Birth Registration is dependent upon individual interpretation by those in Government offices. Our partner Sath Sath has filed a Writ in the court on Birth Registration of street children seeking government intervention to help in cases where documentation is not available (such as fathers name is missing but all documents of citizenship and birth are available with the mother). If the Writ rules in favour of this case and recognises documentation submitted by the mother, the impact will be huge for many other registration cases which currently lack documentation preventing the processing , as well as encouraging many more to come forward to claim theirs.

Our partner in El Salvador held an Identity Workshop for those who lead Registry Offices in 12 municipalities across El Salvador, as well as staff from Children and Family Units of different offices within the Attorney General's Office (PGR) nationwide. The aim was to raise awareness of the importance of speeding up the processes that are carried out and to ensure the population is treated with dignity.

Related stories

Marta

Birth Registration • El Salvador

Growing up in San Salvador can be tough. For 17-year-old Marta, it was more difficult still after her mum abandoned her, without registering her birth. Although her grandmother brought her up, Marta could never access her rights and when she had her own daughter, she feared the same for her. Thankfully, she met our partner in El Salvador and now she and her daughter both officially exist.

Read Marta's story

Khem

Birth Registration • Nepal

In Nepal, not having a birth certificate means little access to the most basic human rights - a reality that 12-year-old Khem knows all too well. Living on the streets, he sought solace in sniffing glue with his friends, until he started attending a project which helped him gain a basic education and finally attain his legal identity.

Read Khem's story

Alejandra

Birth Registration • Guatemala

Lockdowns and curfews made being on the streets during the pandemic impossible for Alejandra. Arrested one night for being out after dark, her birth certificate was the only thing that could get her released. When she had her daughter however, Alejandra’s partner was not registered, making her daughter’s registration difficult – until she got support from our partner in Guatemala.

Read Alejandra's story

Gallery

“To me, a birth certificate means happiness because without it, I wouldn't be able to study like I do.”

Lina, 16, El Salvador

“Getting my son registered was important to me because it helps provide him with an inheritance in the future and creates a permanent record of his existence. It helps to enrol him in school too and he can access medical treatment and vaccinations to stay healthy.”

Binod, father, Nepal

“Now I’ve got my birth certificate, I’m going to keep moving forward and I want to go back to school and continue studying. I want to find a job, help my baby grow and develop and travel to countries that I’ve never been to.”

Marta, 17, El Salvador

Related news

Updates

Spotlight on birth registration

 14 Apr 2023
Updates • Nepal

Pray for our birth registration work in Nepal

 01 Sep 2022

Next steps

Listen to our podcast

on birth registration - according to street children around the world
Take action

Find out more about our birth registration work
Read the whole story

Tackling period poverty

This year

We became an official partner of Menstrual Hygiene Day and encouraged our partners to also to join the network.

On Menstrual Hygiene Day (28th May), our partners across Asia and Africa organised campaign activities raising awareness in schools and events with children in street situations to share information on menstrual hygiene and its importance as well as holding demonstrations and distributing supplies.

The impact

1,346 children and young people provided menstrual hygiene education and provisions

Related stories

Ritu

Street Outreach • India

For 16-year-old Ritu, her monthly period was a time to dread. Societal traditions dictated that during her period, she couldn’t sleep in her bed or touch any food and she had to wash 4-5 times a day. Since attending our partner’s activities though, she’s turning these myths on their head and empowering other women to do the same.

Read Ritu's story

Gallery

“I have learned how to make my menstrual pads through the training from the drop-in centre. I now also have enough knowledge of proper menstrual hygiene practices and I will advise other women and girls to practise proper menstrual hygiene during their period and to speak to people about periods so it’s never a taboo.”

Nick Nick, 17, Sierra Leone

“I want to tell all the young girls that we should use sanitary pads to stay hygienic and have a carefree period. We should never use old wet clothes to avoid irritation and problems.”

Ritu, 16, India

Related news

Updates • India

Period poverty in India

 05 May 2022

Next steps

Listen to our podcast

on the true cost of period poverty for street children
Take action

Gift a period pack
Read the whole story

Health, nutrition and hygiene

This year

In our STRIPE project in Delhi, India, and our new project in Guatemala City, children receive hot cooked meals. This supports in meeting nutritional needs of the children, ensuring they have the energy for learning as well as helping their parents whose daily labour only provides enough for basic food.

Viva, our partner in El Salvador provides children with regular health check and nutritional monitoring. Those who are found to need additional support are given food baskets.

The impact

2,958 children and young people received emergency support including food rations, medical care, and clothing
1,839 children and young people provided counselling or mental health support
1,042 children and young people offered first aid

Education and vocational training

This year

Due to a strong relationship with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, our partner in Guatemala has secured regular paid-for places on vocational courses for young people. The project covers transport, learning materials and mentoring.

In India, our partners have created a unique curriculum to teach foundational literacy and numeracy skills to street children in Non-Formal Education (NFE) centres. Children are taught life skills, sports, digital literacy, rights and the basics of the Indian Constitution. The aim of the curriculum is to eventually enrol the children into mainstream schools.

The impact

2,371 children supported to access formal and informal education
2,073 children and young people trained in life and leadership skills
369 young people and carers supported to advance their livelihoods

Related stories

Adamu

Vocational Training • Kenya

As a young person living on Nairobi’s streets, Adamu is used to harassment and mistreatment from the public. He has always done what he had to to survive, but after meeting our partner in Kenya, he’s started his own courier business. Now he’s proud to be self-employed and hopes he can inspire other children to leave the streets behind.

Read Adamu's story

Zanthia

Vocational Training • Guatemala

Zanthia is a mother of three, with a baby on the way. She’s survived over 10 years on Guatemala City’s streets and is determined to give her children a better life. When their father refused to recognise them, she sought help through our partner in Guatemala. Now, the whole family has their birth certificates and a future full of hope.

Read Zanthia's story

Tazim

Education • India

Like many families living in poverty, Tazim’s mother had to make the difficult choice between sending him to school and paying her debts. She was scared he would be illiterate like her so when Tazim started attending one of our partner’s Education Club, she was thrilled. Now he can continue learning, while receiving support to enrol in full-time school.

Read Tazim's story

Gallery

“Going to school is important because we get knowledge and information in school and also get to meet a lot of new friends and teachers every day. We learn to tell the difference between good and bad. When I didn’t go to school, I didn’t know how to read and write; now I have learned many things.”

Tazim, 8, India

Related news

Updates • Nepal

Back to school for street children in Nepal

 10 Aug 2021
Updates

Supporting young people to reimagine their futures

 02 Feb 2022

Next steps

Listen to our podcast

on back to school for street children
Take action

Find out more about our education work
Read the whole story

CHILDREN, FAMILIES & COMMUNITY

This year

We helped build young people’s self-esteem and leadership skills by providing opportunities to represent street children in local and national events.

We reintegrated street children with their families and communities, supporting children and young people to leave the streets.

The impact

1,498 caregivers provided with training in positive parenting
801 children and youth enabled to actively participate in child or youth led activities
106 children and young people reintegrated back into their families or communities

Other achievements

We evaluated

five projects giving us new insights into the impact our work is having on street children and where improvements could be made.

We supported

our partners to conceptualise and carry out innovative programming to reach street children and respond to their needs in different ways

We provided

legal representation and/or support for 139 children and young people

We expanded

our work in Guatemala City and India through new partnerships and by initiating new projects

Key lessons this year

INSIGHT

The importance of monitoring and evaluation visits with partners and the need for time together in person to improve problem-solving and ensure thinking time and idea generation for new and existing projects.

WHAT DID WE LEARN?

Whilst the pandemic brought us the benefits of new technologies and techniques to monitor and collaborate with our partners ensuring that work could still be carried out effectively, the lifting of travel restrictions has once again allowed us to meet with our partners face-to-face, see project activities in action and spend time with participants and local stakeholders.

INSIGHT

The importance of collaboration between our partners.

WHAT DID WE LEARN?

Partners across countries shared their contrasting approaches, including economic empowerment and community feedback mechanisms. Latin American partners enjoyed two online training courses further enabling cross learning and interaction. In Guatemala City three partners met face to face with our Latin American Programme Manager.

INSIGHT

Our adaptive management approach is proving successful.

WHAT DID WE LEARN?

Our adaptive management approach has been praised in external evaluations of our work in Nepal and El Salvador for the way in which partners have been able to adapt to contextual changes including Covid and in favour of more effective interventions.

“Viva El Salvador expresses its gratitude for the training received, the accompaniment, we value the training, the meeting spaces, the conversations, the learning at every moment, in the end the main beneficiaries are the children and youth in connection with the street and their caregivers, thank you very much. God bless each of your lives Toybox team.”

Viva El Salvador

“We thank TOYBOX for the support provided for the training and/or updating processes, which will be used for the benefit of the organisation, which in turn will allow us to continue working for the children, adolescents and youth of Guatemala, whose rights are constantly violated and abused.”

CONACMI

“The best interests of the child and youths has always been central in the process of Toybox content gathering.”

PKL
Achievements

Achievements From our current strategic plan

Reaching more street children

Almost

To have worked with 13,000 (direct) street children and young people by 30th June 2022. - Not quite! We worked directly with 9,974 street children and young people this year. Although this figure is less than our target, it represents improvements to our systems for tracking our participants and ensuring they are not counted twice when participating in more than one project or activity.

Find out more

Achieved

To support 1,500 children and young people to access birth registration documents by 30th June 2022. - Oh yes! We supported 1,850 children to access their birth registration documents and a further 944 to access other types of identity documents (such as ID card, citizenship or health cards).

Find out more

Achieved

To establish one new in country partnership. - Yes. We established a new partnership in Guatemala with Puerta de Esperanza.

Find out more

Ensuring and measuring all impacts of our work with street children

Almost

To design and implement a methodology for collating and presenting street children’s stories, allowing the child to tell their story by 31st December 2021. - Almost! A methodology was designed with systems and training provided to partners on story gathering by November 2021. However, the implementation of participatory content gathering with children wasn’t finalised until July 2022.

Find out more

Almost

To have developed a Toybox Economic Empowerment model by 30th June 2022. - No. This has not yet been completed due to staff changes, but we have been working with partners on improving and growing economic empowerment within the Toybox portfolio resulting in both us and our partners developing greater expertise in the area which we will continue to build on.

Find out more

Almost

To have at least five partners with established feedback mechanisms which are known by project participants, are being used, and influence project decision making. - Yes-ish! To date, four partners have achieved a green rating in terms of feedback mechanisms, an increase on the previous year’s figures.

Find out more
Next year

Next year Our aims for 2023

Reaching more street children

  • To have worked with over 8,000 (direct) children in street situations by 30 June 2023.
  • To support over 1,600 children and young people to access birth registration documents by 30 June 2023.
  • To support over 1,000 children and young people with access to formal and informal education by 30 June 2023.
  • 150 young people and caregivers are supported to start small businesses by 30 June 2023.

Ensuring and measuring all impacts of our work with street children

  • To implement a new Project Management Database for our projects by 31 December 2022.
  • To ensure continuous improvement in safeguarding and ensure that at least 80% of our partners are on a RAG rating of green by 30 June 2023.
  • To send 2% more funding to international partners, versus the previous 12 months, by 30 June 2023.
  • To put in place a sustainability framework by March 2023 which will guide decision making on projects and partnerships to maximise the impact Toybox can have.
  • To have completed the development of the Toybox Economic Empowerment model by 30 June 2023.
  • External review of our governance activities completed by 30 June 2023.
Next steps

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