Hello, I'm Isla, the Graduate Marketing and Fundraising Officer here at Toybox. Every month I write a blog sharing a glimpse behind the scenes at Toybox. This month I thought I would share a little about the work that Toybox does.
With an estimated 10 million NGOs and non-profits operating around the world, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to understand who does what, and how. After six months of working at Toybox, I often find myself explaining to friends, family, or people I meet at networking events exactly what our charity does, and why it matters.
So, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a short, around-the-dinner-table explanation. This is just a simple explanation about what from my perspective stands out most about Toybox. If you’re new to Toybox, or simply curious, this blog is for you.
A Brief History
Many people know that Toybox works to end the injustice of children living and working on the streets. But what’s less commonly known is the story behind how we started.
Over 30 years ago, a couple from the UK watched a BBC documentary that exposed the harsh realities faced by children living and working on the streets in Guatemala City. Deeply moved, they decided not to look away, and instead decided to act. From that moment of compassion Toybox was born. Our name is grounded in the belief that every child deserves a safe, dignified childhood, and that is the same belief that still drives everything we do.
Where we work and what we do
Since those early days, Toybox has grown into a global charity with programmes in:
Guatemala
Bolivia
El Salvador
Kenya
Ethiopia
India
Nepal
Across these countries, we work to support children living or working on the streets. The children we support are some of the world’s most vulnerable children, who often face constant risk, limited opportunities and systemic barriers that keep them trapped in a poverty cycle.
Our approach always starts with identifying children and young people in need, then working with them to access key services and overcome the barriers that limit their safety and future.
Why Legal Identity Matters So Much
One of the most defining parts of Toybox’s work, and something that I didn’t fully grasp before joining, is the central role of legal identity. A birth certificate may seem like a simple document, but for a child, it can be life changing. Without it, they are effectively invisible. They can’t go to school, access healthcare, or be protected by the justice system. Not having a legal identity also makes them much more vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation and abuse.
Toybox is one of the few organisations globally that specialises in supporting children to secure their birth registration and legal identity. Whilst this work isn't loud or dramatic, it is quietly transformative and changes the lives of the children we work with.
How We Work: Partnership at the core
Toybox doesn’t “drop in” with quick fixes. We work through long-standing, carefully selected local partner organisations who understand the communities, cultures, and complexities far better than anyone else.
In 2025, Toybox worked with eight partner organisations across seven countries, ensuring that our support is community-led, culturally grounded, and sustainable in the long term.
Our work primarily focuses on:
Securing birth registration and legal identity
Supporting education and vocational skills
Economic empowerment for families
Access to justice and protection systems
This blend of long-term change and immediate support is exactly what children in street situations need and increases the sustainability of Toybox’s work.
But what really stands out to me about our project work is that we involve children and young people directly when monitoring our projects. Their voices and lived experiences guide how we design and improve our work.
Why I’m Proud to Be Part of Toybox
After six months at Toybox, I can honestly say that what I’ve learned makes me incredibly proud to be part of this organisation. Toybox’s work is:
Courageous – not in the dramatic way, but in a steady and determined commitment to justice
Compassionate – the team is highly compassionate, and cares deeply about the dignity and wellbeing of the children we work with
Practical – we focus on the solutions that genuinely change futures
Powered by partnership – we work with our partner organisations and children living in street situations to provide the best possible outcomes for them
Most of all, Toybox is driven by a vision of a world where no child has to call the streets home.
I’m grateful to play even a small part in that mission, and I’m excited to keep learning about and contributing to work that truly matters. You can find out more about Toybox’s work here, and I encourage you to explore and deep dive into more of our work.
