News - Gift A Toy Spread Joy

by Life Positive

Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognised by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.

“We want to ensure that every child has a happy, healthy childhood and that play is a part of that childhood. We also want to teach these underprivileged kids about giving and sharing through toys. These are taught via workshops/magic shows by volunteers, who spend time with the children," said Shweta Chari, the founder of Toybank, who gave up her engineering career to work with underprivileged kids.

The kids Shweta works with often suffer from malnutrition, hunger, health problems, substance abuse, theft and harassment by the police.
Happiness: Kids rejoice on getting toys from Toybank “It is not surprising that under such circumstances childhood and adolescent depression is on the rise. While some social organisations fulfil basic needs like food, clothing and education, others like us focus on bringing happiness through play,” Shweta explains.

Toybank accepts donations of new as well as used toys. “Old toys are picked up from individuals, corporations and organisations from all over the country. We clean, gift-wrap and distribute these toys to underprivileged kids, in the 1-to-15 years age group. We work with NGOs, government schools, community play centers, government hospitals and orphanages. We stress on morally correct toys. So violent toys like guns are rejected as are Barbies or battery-operated toys which create lifestyle conflicts and class differences,” Shweta adds.

The response, Shweta says, has been overwhelming. “I can’t forget the joy that lit up the kids’ eyes when they realised that they actually owned the toy! Also we do videos in regular schools, to explain to children the lives of these underprivileged kids. One boy collected 200 toys! They are even motivated into giving their own favourite toys."

Contact www.toybank.org to donate toys