“I hope to become a doctor in the future.” Arun, 10
“I want to become an astronaut to explore the world beyond the sky and see what it looks like from space.” Dhara, 14
“I want to be a police officer when I grow up.” Valerie, 5
“In the future I want to be a scientist, to be able to find a cure for cancer or for diseases that can't be cured yet, and also to build new things - like an underwater car!” Albert, 11
“I want to become a good teacher.” Soneeya, 8
At the age of 10, Carmen didn’t know how to read or write. She wakes up every day at 5am to help on her parents’ fruit stall, regularly working eleven hours a day. For children like Carmen, education can feel out of reach.
Four years ago, Carmen was introduced to Toybox’s local partner in Guatemala, Puerta de Esperanza. The project helped Carmen return to school and stay committed to her studies. Through courage and ambition, Carmen is now reading and writing independently. Carmen has transformed what once felt out of reach into tangible progress and she now has big dreams for her future.
“My studies are the most important thing in my life. I want to continue with them, work in a company and have a career. I would like to learn how to run a company.”
Carmen’s story is a reminder of what can be achieved when young people are given the chance to learn, dream and be supported along the way.
Only 1 in 4 children living in street situations around the world have access to an education. Yet all children have magical and magnificent dreams about their future. They might wish to fly a cosmic plane, become a postman or a fashion designer.
Toybox works in seven countries around the world to deliver formal and informal education opportunities for 3,716 children every year. Our work tackles some of the systemic barriers to education attainment amongst street children by changing attitudes in families to education, reducing violence in schools and increasing wider community responsibility for learning.
We also deliver education clubs, vocational training and support with formal school enrolment to ensure that street children can make their dreams and aspirations a reality.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
This December 15th, Toybox would like to invite you to host a 'Dress Up to Dream Big' day and invite colleagues, friends or a class or year group at school to wear a fancy dress outfit that represents their childhood dreams. The outfit could be as creative as you want, like an elaborate glittery mermaid costume or something super simple like a customised t-shirt or football kit.
On the day you could also:
The difference you can make:
By asking participants to make a donation to Toybox on the day, you will help ensure that street children can gain an education and work towards their dreams for the future.
Raising a total of £144 could provide three Mobile School sessions for up to 25 street children in Nepal.
Please share your dress up day pics on social media and don’t forget to tag @ToyboxCharity or add #Dressuptodreambig
To make it easy to keep track of donations raised and share the total raised, we recommend setting up a JustGiving page.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us on 01908 360080 or email [email protected].