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Here is our recent press release with news of the playground equipment that is ready to ship to Ghana.

A large number of children in Ghana will soon be the first to enjoy a mobile playground, which has been donated by Sutcliffe Play. The company were contacted by The SAFE Foundation, a charity set up in the UK to help implement sustainable development projects to marginalised people in developing countries.

Almost two years ago, in Kumasi, Ghana, the charity teamed up with a local organisation, Teens Net Foundation, to combine efforts to help marginalised communities have access to health care in a ‘Centre of Hope’. The mutual aims of both charities are to especially help children suffering from HIV and AIDS who require ongoing medical treatment. A team of volunteers has recently returned from a trip which saw them build a new school.

“The SNUG play equipment donated by Sutcliffe Play, will give a new lease of life to underprivileged children who have no access to the very basic of human rights – happiness,” explains Lucy Dickenson, Managing Director of The SAFE Foundation. “There are no recreation facilities at all in Kumasi, and the introduction of this innovative type of playground will combine fun, education, physical activity and social engagement to children contributing to an overall improvement in their quality of life.”

With the help of TeensNet, the charity plan for the play equipment to be transported around the region, so that they can reach children in more remote areas. The SNUG play equipment, which is exclusive to Sutcliffe Play, is fully modular and can be packed up and shipped around. This will also benefit the children as it will encourage them to make their own structures, and stimulate creativity. TeensNet in Ghana will employ local people to drive the equipment around the region and they will receive payment from The SAFE Foundation through their ongoing fundraising activities.

Rob Whitelock, SNUG Creative Advisor in the UK says: “We believe that play is crucially important to the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of children.  It helps them to develop their own sense of risk and teaches them how to work independently and as part of a team.

“Play for plays sake should be an essential part of childhood, wherever you live in the world, so we’re delighted to be working with SAFE on such a worthy project that will introduce play, and its benefits, to children across Ghana.

Having recently passed the twentieth anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, this donation from SAFE and Sutcliffe Play is a fantastic opportunity for children in the poorest communities in Kumasi to experience the freedom, fun and access to play that every child is entitled to. It will also motivate adults of the community to take action in child development and to be more proactive in securing a bright future for their families.

Rae and I got back from Uganda yesterday after a mega long trip which was absolutely amazing.

We are both sorry that we could not let you know what we were up to while we were away, but there was no opportunity to send messages back home. And as we only in the villages for two days, the chances of stopping for five minutes wasn’t going to happen.

We were met on Saturday morning by Mrs Owor, she is one of main leaders of TOCIDA. She had planned an intensive itinerary for us as she wanted us to meet as many of the children as possible during the 48 hrs we were going to spend in the villages of Tororro.

We arrived at Doreen’s house at lunchtime, and were greeted by the best welcome we have ever had. The women have an awesome way of greeting you, and if you have ever visited Uganda you will know.

There is so much to tell you about every child we met, and I’m not sure I can go into detail in this post. But I will add their information to the Uganda page, so you can see how we are helping each individual child.

The main purpose of our visit was to assess the opportunities for volunteers out in Tororro. During our visit we visit went to the TOCIDA HQ, and saw the facilities that they have, or perhaps haven’t.

Rae and I are both overwhelmed by the welcome we received from each of the families. They were so grateful for the support that we have so far given them. Each of the children have all had simple things like school bags, shoes and socks. A few of the children were given money in order to receive medical treatment, Gabriel in particular is now able to hear after he was able to get much needed treatment for an ear infection that made him deaf.

We are grateful to the Owor family for the support they gave us during our trip; we have never felt so looked after.

The SAFE Foundation will soon meet up and discuss what Rae and I have seen, and there is a lot to discuss. We will also attend the next Vale for Africa meeting and will relay everything to them.

Stay posted for more updates, you can use the RSS feed thingamajig on our page.

Big love to all our supporters. xx Lou

Comm to the Safe Garden Party!

Title: Garden Party
Location: Dyffryn Gardens
Description: Tea, sarnies and booze with musical accompaniment and posh frocks
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2008-09-07