In Caracas, Venezuela, a group of dedicated volunteers works tirelessly to restore old toys, bringing them back to life for children and those in need during the holiday season. This heartwarming initiative, known as the Hospital for Soft Toys, began in 2017 when Lilian Gluck, a teacher, pondered what to do with toys that children had outgrown, especially as some of them were leaving the country. Instead of throwing them away or letting them fall apart, Gluck decided to clean and repair the toys, then donate them to pediatric patients at the University Hospital of Caracas.
Her idea grew, and the Hospital for Soft Toys soon became a non-profit foundation. Today, about 60 volunteers gather at least twice a week to fix, clean, and restore toys, including everything from Barbie dolls to a Kung Fu Panda action figure. Since its inception, the project has recycled approximately 70,000 toys, all of which are sent to hospitals, schools, and elderly homes in underprivileged neighborhoods. The toys are also sent abroad, accompanied by donations such as school supplies, diapers, and food, which are much needed in a country struggling with economic hardship and political unrest.
For many of the volunteers, the work is deeply therapeutic. Silvia Heiber, 72, who has volunteered for nearly three years, describes it as a form of emotional support. “By doing this, all of us who come here are in therapy, a therapy of support for one another,” she says. The volunteers, many of whom are retired teachers or seamstresses, enjoy the simple act of repairing a beloved toy, whether it’s brushing a doll’s hair or fixing a stuffed animal’s fur. The work is meaningful not only for the recipients but also for the volunteers who find comfort in the shared experience.
Each restored toy is given a message that encourages its new owner to embrace the value of recycling. It reads: “Hello, I am your new friend. I am a doll with experience because I played with another girl. Love me and take care of me, and I will do the same with you. When you grow up, give me to another girl who will love me and play with me like you.”
Through this project, the Hospital for Soft Toys spreads a message of love, care, and sustainability, showing that even the simplest acts of kindness can make a lasting impact on both the givers and the receivers.
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