At Venezuela’s Hospital for Soft Toys, Old Toys Find New Life

One by one volunteers rescue and repair toys that show the marks of use.

They sew clothing and brush fur and hair, add filling and dress the toys.

The workers are fixing them to again be given to children.

This is the work of the Hospital for Soft Toys, a project in Venezuela's capital Caracas.

The effort began with a mother's question, what do you do with all the toys once children outgrow them?

About 60 volunteers now meet at least twice a week.

They work on Barbie dolls, toy bears, and baby dolls that children have left behind.

The group estimates it has recycled about 70,000 toys in the past seven years.

Its volunteers work faster around the Christmas holiday.

Miradi Acosta is a 63-year-old architect who represents the Hospital for Soft Toys.

She said the idea came from a teacher named Lillian Gluck.

In 2017, Gluck was looking for something to do with her children's toys as they grew older.

She did not want to throw them out or let them fall apart.

She decided to wash them, fix them up, and donate them to children staying in the University Hospital of Caracas. The effort was popular.

So, a few months later, she opened the Hospital for Soft Toys at her home.

It is a nonprofit foundation that also collects and repairs other toys and educational games.

The foundation receives donations from other countries that can include school supplies,

diapers, shoes, food, and candy.

All have been welcomed in a country that has seen years of economic crisis and renewed

political unrest after July's election.

Sylvia Heiber has volunteered for almost three years.

She is 72 years old.

She said that smoothing a soft toy's fur or fixing a doll's hair for another child to

care for is also helpful for the volunteers.

By doing this, all of us who come here are in therapy, a therapy of support for one another, Heiber said.

Myrna Morales is a 76-year-old teacher and volunteer.

She called it one of the best experiences I've ever had.

Maria Poleo, who is 84 years old, said the work is not difficult because all the volunteers

know how to make or repair clothing.

On some days, it seems there are not enough toys to repair.

But then someone arrives at the door with more boxes and bags full of toys.

The toys are delivered to hospitals and schools in poor areas, but also to homes for older people.

Anyone who needs a little bit of affection, Heiber said.

Each restored doll comes with a message advising its new owner to recycle it when they no longer want it.

Hello, I am your new friend, it says.

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. I'm Jill Robbins.