Ever wondered what to do with your old toys? What if you could to give them away to other children who’ve never had any?
What is it?
ToyConnect, an initiative started by Samvitha Ram, a student of American International School, gives you the chance to share your toys with the under-privileged children. “I have been an active volunteer in the area of pre-primary and primary education, and realised that children who played with toys performed better in the later grades than those who didn’t have any. Research has also shown that playing with toys helps develop motor and tactile senses.”
Why ToyConnect?
The aim of the campaign is to collect used toys from schools around Chennai. Samvitha started collection from a few close friends who in turn contacted others. “This network of schools working together for a common project sets this drive apart.” Schools like MCTM, Abacus, Vidya Mandir, Arsha Vidya Mandir, Sishya, Chettinad Vidyashram and Church Park are among those who have come forward to collect toys to create toy libraries in underprivileged schools in and around Chennai.
The project is entirely a ‘for-the-children, by-the-children’ initiative, with a group of ToyConnect-ers working tirelessly to improve the lives of their less fortunate counterparts. Their efforts are supported by the NGO Goonj ( >www.goonj.org ). The ultimate mission is to try to create a sustainable project and run this drive every year, with a new batch of students shouldering the responsibility and driving the project. them to play with.
How You Can Help
Write to thetoyconnect@gmail.com to find out how you join the donation and distribution process or visit www.goonj.org to see how you can help the NGO with their other projects!
