Mobile Toy Library

Mobile Toy Library Programs

The Mobile Toy Library is a traveling school on a brightly colored bus. A trained librarian travels with the bus to all the preschool centers in the slums. The librarian and preschool teachers create different games and stories with the toys. This is a significant learning experience because these children often do not have the opportunity to play and learn. The librarian works with the children, using the toys to teach educational lessons. The librarian also encourages the children to play with as many toys as possible.

Why the need?

20 million children in India are forced to live and work on the streets. Many children work to help support their families, while others are orphans.  These children scrape by doing many varied menial jobs such as sweeping, selling newspapers, running errands, or shining shoes. With funds already so tight, most of these children cannot afford to go to school. Slums across India are filled with children looking for food and work.

Homelessness and street life have extremely detrimental effects on children. Their unstable lifestyles, poor living conditions, and lack of medical care make children more likely to have chronic illnesses such as respiratory or ear infections and HIV/AIDS.

How Team Efforts Translate to Impact   

The Mobile Toy Library, provides basic literacy, vocational training, nutrition, medical treatment, and emergency assistance to over 4,000 children and their families.

All funds will support the operating costs of the Mobile Toy Library. 

How the Mobile Toy Library Creates Sustainable Global Change

Instead of sending toys, we are sending funds. This way the Mobile Toy Library can buy toys that are made and sold locally. By buying toys from local stores, the communities economy will be helped. This will also allow the Mobile Toy Library to find toys and educational materials that are best for the children. 

* Photos courtesy of Ruchika