Not an electrician, but maybe the toaster's wiring is faulty. Has it a metal casing ? Watch the fuses, especially the RCD if it triggers, e.g. when you touch the switched on toaster.
And tell your brother that if a switch doesn't work, it just doesn't work. Trying to make it work will break it.
Uh, do you have access to a garden ? I could share a few recipes for green stuff :-)
