Bletchley, England (ANS) – UK children’s charity Toybox is urgently responding to the hidden victims of the coronavirus as they are providing vital aid to some of the most vulnerable street kids around the world.
The charity says their partners are working alongside their governments to ensure street children are given the emergency support they need to survive – food, water and medical care – as well as advocating to stop them being criminalised for being homeless. They are also working tirelessly to find places for children in shelters or with extended families.
In Nepal and El Salvador they are also providing children with emergency food, and hygiene kits including masks, hand-wash and soap are being distributed to communities in four of the countries they work in.
To highlight this crisis Toybox asked their partners across the globe to send in video stories of what life is like for these children in the midst of the lockdown.
Toybox CEO Lynne Morris says what they received was both heartbreaking and inspiring.
“Some of the footage we had that came back from India, when you look at the context of what they’re walking through and you see the rubbish and the dirt and you just think this is the road a child has to walk along every single day.”
In his video story from India Ishaan said: “We have been facing a lot of problems since the lockdown was imposed. I don’t even have clothes to wear. I wash this t shirt and wear it every day. I have nothing. I am very despondent.”
Morris added: “What always inspires me and always fills me with absolute joy is when the children asked to say something. Some of the street kids from Guatemala were just so grateful that folk were interested in them and wanted to express their gratitude.
One of those from Guatemala was Gracia who shared: “The life I have had on the streets has not been easy and going through quarantine it has been much more difficult. But thanks to God and the people who love us and support us we have managed to get by.”
And Andreas also from Guatemala said: “Here the truth is I’m from the streets. But I have a great appreciation for the people who help us daily. Thank you people who have been here for us. I hope day by day you are always with us. Thank you.”
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Toybox Charity Highlights Stories of Street Kids in Lockdown
