I is for Inspiration all over the world.

There are so many wonderful and inspiring projects all over the world that provide and support outdoor play in disadvantaged countries. All sharing one common goal to enrich children’s lives and give them the same opportunities to play as children born in less disadvantaged countries. Watching the work these charities and individuals continue to do inspires and motivates Play-away to play a small part in this campaign.

One of my favourites to follow is The Naked Heart Foundation. In 2004, model Natalia Vodianova became motivated to set up this charity, after the appalling events of the Beslan tragedy, aiming to provide modern safe play parks in urban areas of Russia.

During the last 9 years  the charity has grown and provided over 90 play areas in over 68 cities and towns across Russia, building over  90 accessible playgrounds in 68 cities and towns across the country. Natalie has used her famous contacts and her modelling stature to stand up for what she believes passionately about, raising money through the very glamorous Love Balls and charity auctions. This year the charity will reach opening  its 100th playground , something worth celebrating!  for more information on the charity and all the great work www.nakedheart.org

Here are some of the Naked Heart Foundations fabulous playgrounds, I would love to go visit some of them one day!

(photos: www.nakedheart.org)

This playground is in the small town of Kokui, in the Sretensky District and the finished project looks wonderful. The safe play area provides outdoor play for a wide range of ages and all levels of physical ability. I love the bright interesting  fairy castle and it even  has a rollerdome for the older children.

Let’s move to Sweden for inspiration with playground-project.org. A playground charity founded by two women in 2010, Sofia Hellqvist and  Frida Vesterberg, to help children struggling in deprived areas of Cape Town, South Africa. Playground Project focusses on providing recreational projects, such as football and sports activity clubs and safe play areas for children of mixed ages

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(Photo:www.playgrond-project.org)

Playground Project focusses on children aged 3 to 21 in  Langa, the oldest township in the Western Cape. 50% of the population in Langa is  under 18 years old , which can lead to issues of child-headed households, gangs, abuse, alcoholism and unemployment. These young children find themselves dealing with situations that no child should have to be involved in. Playground Project supports these children through providing recreational activities and creating a safe environment to come together and play in their community.

What draws me to Playground Project is our shared beliefs of what an important tool play is to helping young children develop into a more rounded,  confident individuals.

 “Play is for all the children in the world a cultural way to express themselves and a natural way to communicate with each other and others around them.” (www.playground-project.org)

I’ll leave this post with one of my favourite playground images, mixing innocence, creativity and world full of exploration just waiting to be discovered……

(Photo:media.au.timeout.com)

 This is St.Kildas Adventure playground , found in Port Philip, Australia, . It covers four hectares of land and includes a beached pirate shipwreck and a submarine.  It was built after World War II to help disadvantaged children  in the area develop mentally and physically. I love its creativity and use of recycled resources.

The Beauty of India

Mark and I have returned from spending 9 wonderful days in India, joining an organised trip with the charity 2bears.org.uk. 2bears.org.uk is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of disabled and deprived children in Southern India.. Mark and I joined this trip after I first visited last year, with a view to seeing what PlayawayUK could contribute to enhancing these children’s lives. So with suitcases full of toys and teddies off we went on another adventure. Little did we know that it is also our lives that become enhanced by these children each time we see their smiling happy faces.

It really is such a privilege to be able to see first hand the children that you are trying to support whilst at home in U.K. To share their excitement over receiving new toys, often toys that our children have donated and discarded , is quite humbling and I would love to give my own children the opportunity in the future to experience this for themselves.