“Safe Park”, is a community outreach program that promotes the physical/mental development, and healing of children by utilizing research and evidence-based interventions implemented by health workers trained in trauma management. This program is open to all children from the community and its goal is to assess children’s behavior and foster learning through educational games and workshops.

“Safe Park” offers the following opportunities to children and families:

• Trained healthcare workers observe the behavior of children to identify and address signs of stress, trauma, apathy, and abuse (sexual, domestic).
• Games help identify the psycho-social needs of the children so our healthcare team can provide support and follow-ups.
• Workshops and games strengthen child/adult relations at home as the child is better adjusted to their HIV status/circumstances.
• Family members receive guidance on how to address the needs of the child at home.

During “Safe Park”, group games, songs, and workshops are used to educate children and teach them life skills. Some of the games the children play during Safe Park activities include:

River in River out: This game is played with children of different ages to improve focus in all areas. The game requires participants to jump a rope/line placed in front of children when the leader shouts the word, “river”. All children must jump to the other side of the rope or line. Children who do not clear the rope are out of the game and this is repeated till only one child remains, who is the winner.

Mbelele Mbelele Mbwela ku Nyumba (Sheep come home):. Children are divided into two groups: lions and sheep. The sheep are told that the lion is dead when this is not true. The lion group charges at the sheep group and takes some sheep over to their side. The objective of this game is to teach children to check facts before doing something that could lead them to harm.

Challenges

We need supplies such as floor mats for younger children to sit on, toys, building blocks, paper and markers. Any donation that will help us purchase these items locally will go a long way in continuing these educational games and activities.

Impact

As a result of participation in “Safe Park” activities, children feel comfortable sharing their difficulties. They go back home less stressed and happier. “Safe Park” gives an opportunity for children to play in a safe environment.

Thanks, as always, for your continued actions to educate children and provide a safe environment for children to play and learn.