Play Action International recently partnered with the World We Want Foundation and the Nasio Trust to install exciting and safe playgrounds, hand-washing facilities and deliver play training to schools, Early Childhood Development Centres and a local hospital in Kenya.
The aim of the programme was to encourage children to attend school and to help teachers integrate play into their teaching to maximise learning outcomes. At the end of 2020, and in just 9 days, after working with a wonderful workforce from the local community, 5 playgrounds were constructed and were ready to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
As part of the playground building process, a community sensitisation project was undertaken, highlighting the importance of the playgrounds to teachers and social workers, as well as healthcare professionals. All those who attended the training sessions, learned how to use the playgrounds to improve children’s learning experiences.
As well as the playground builds, the installation of hand-washing facilities have resulted in hundreds of children and community members being able to use these to help protect them against COVID-19.
The programme has seen some incredible outcome in the weeks since it was implemented including significant involvement from many members of local communities, from the building stage to now – meaning the local population want to make use of the new facilities as they can see the benefits, including an increased rate of school attendance.
As a result of these successes, the programme has seen a call for more training for other community members, as well as more playgrounds and hand-washing facilities which could all benefit other disadvantaged children and provide further employment opportunities for additional communities.
Play Action International is delighted to see these excellent outcomes for its first Kenya based play programme. To help fund a future play programme donate here.
