Toybox - let the Street Children live!
Common questions - Toybox Child Sponsorship
Q: What does my £18 do for the place sponsored?
A: The current monthly cost of keeping a child in one of the homes is about £500.
Your £18, together with money from others who sponsor the same place, helps to feed, clothe, educate and house one child. The costs also help pay for staffing, transport, medical and other expenses incurred.
Q: Can I write to the child?
A: Yes please! Whether you write Spanish or not, the children love receiving news from their sponsors. If you can write in Spanish, that would be great, but if you wish to write in English that’s also fine! You may send your letter to the Toybox Office to be translated prior to being sent out to Guatemala. Please keep letters short and do be aware that our translators are volunteers who work when they have time, so your letter could be delayed a few weeks. Rather than writing long letters, we would encourage you to send cards and pictures where not much writing is necessary. The children particularly enjoy receiving colourful items which they can display.
You will receive a letter from the child approximately twice a year, but most of the letters are written with the help of an adult as many of the children cannot yet write fluently, so please do not expect a personal reply to your letter.
Q: Can I send birthday cards?
A: Yes. We have a Birthday Balloon Scheme where we send you a letter and balloon before your child’s Birthday inviting you to decorate your balloon and sending it back to us, if you like, with a card. These should be sent back to us at the Toybox UK office:
Toybox
PO Box 5967
Bletchley
Milton Keynes
MK3 6DP
Here are some useful words to write in Spanish:
‘Feliz cumpleaños!’ (Happy Birthday) ‘Eres especial’ (You are special) Dios te bendiga (God bless you)
Q: Can I send presents?
A: No. Our partners overseas have asked us not to send presents as some children feel left out if presents are sent to one child and not another. This is why we have introduced the Birthday Balloon Scheme.
Q: What happens if the child leaves the home?
A: We ask all our sponsors to understand that the sponsorship is for a place in the home rather than a particular child, as we cannot guarantee how long any child will remain in the home. If the child whose details have been sent to you leaves the home we will let you know in our next update and send details of another child in the home whom you can support.
Q: Will I receive news of the child who has left?
A: Children leave the home for a variety of reasons and we do our best to keep in touch with them and monitor their progress. We will try and let you have some information when you receive your update. Please continue to pray for them.
Q: How long should I sponsor a child?
A: In order for us to ensure stability for our partners and the children in the home, we hope you would sponsor a child for some years. But if your circumstances change and you can no longer continue supporting Toybox financially, we can stop the sponsorship. This will not affect the child you sponsor – they will continue to be supported.