Play Builds: Support Toybank in building a World of Play for children

Back in 2004, a bunch of children, aged between 5 and 9 years, were distraught, angry and deeply scared. These boys had run away from their homes and their parents, from all across the country, and had landed themselves in Mumbai. Why were they here? They wanted to become “very rich when they grow up”. Toybank’s co-founder, Shweta Chari, just about 21-years-old herself back then, used to spend a lot of time simply 'playing' with these children. They played box cricket, langdi, saakli, listened to a lot of classical music together and simply just chatted a lot through playing. Shweta learned so much about these children and how quickly they were able to trust her, by sharing their aspirations and fears, and this safe space was created through the Power of Play. 

It was this very safe space and the boundless magic of Play that inspired Toybank's inaugural toy distribution drive in 2004 among underserved children, across three locations in Mumbai. 

We understood that a deprived childhood has the potential to lead to a tough adulthood. Mental well-being in early childhood had taken a backseat and Shweta wanted to create a solid, empathetic society at large. So, from simply distributing toys, over the years, Toybank has gone on to ensure quality access to play for children through its Conscious Play™ approach, and trained teachers to use play in their everyday classrooms. 

Our journey has been filled with stories of transformation, like that of three-year-old Rohan (name changed). Born into challenging circumstances, Rohan hailed from a humble, low-income family. His early years were marred by an unhealthy environment, prompting his Anganwadi (pre-school) teacher to intervene. She recognised that Rohan needed a safe space away from his troubles, even if it was just for a few hours each day. 

When Rohan first stepped into the Anganwadi, his attention span was fleeting, and his health was fragile. He struggled to fit in with the other children. The teacher began to spend time with him, and thought of using Play as a medium to ensure his progress. Through Play, she provided a safe space for Rohan to find his footing. It took time, but the transformation was profound. Today, Rohan is one of the liveliest students at the Anganwadi, eagerly seeking play and engaging with his peers. 

Toybank's work has created safe spaces for children like Rohan, fostering their holistic development and nurturing a love for learning. Your contribution will help provide children like Rohan with access to quality play and create safe spaces for them to learn and grow. It’s an investment in their future. 

Come, play your part in brightening their childhood.