Yesterday I attended a launch to introduce what I thought would be another cute product for another cute child. And how wrong I was. I was at the launch of extra special and significant dolls called TrashCanKidz for extra-special kids and their parents.

TrashCanKidz are being touted as “toys with a soul” that help to educate kids about the plight of street kids, and teach them to better the world. But there is nothing sad about TrashCanKidz – rather they are meant to uplift and remind us how much we have in the world. Plus, 20% of the money raised from each sale goes into helping orphaned, vulnerable or street children, and already money has been allocated to set up an orphanage in Diepsloot.

There are five TrashCanKidz (more will be launched in the next few months), each with a unique personality and story. Each doll has a scar on its stomach, representing their past, and each has a heart on their chest, representing the love you give them, and the love they give you.

Kids can choose between Solo, Samson, Calypso, Slam and Rose, and each doll comes in a plastic backpack that kids can carry around with them. I liked them all, but I developed a soft spot for Samson:

Samson is tough and “mean” looking, but in fact he’s a big softie with an even bigger heart. He hates bullies, and will protect his friends from anyone who tries to hurt them.

There is also a free iPad app called Searching for Rose, and you can find TrashCanKidz on Facebook. The dolls are available online, for R399 each, which includes postage.

These little characters will make great gifts for little ones, and those young at heart. They will add heart and spirit to your home, and will remind you of what have, and what you have given.

In between the tears listening to the inspiration behind the dolls, there were smiles as we posed with the giant Calypso