Child Protection Zambia Project #16571

COVID education/"Safe Park" for Children

by Power of Love Foundation

COVID education/"Safe Park" for Children

Project Report | Jun 25, 2023
Games and Fun Activities are Critical for the Normal Development of Children

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

We have fun learning and playing with children

We strongly believe that games and fun activities are critical for the normal development of Children. Power of Love’s Safe Park/COVID education program continues to be popular with children and community leaders. In addition to educational games and workshops, the children now have an opportunity to check out books and videos at community libraries. This goes a long way in improving their reading and writing skills.

Mobile Safe Park: Over the past 18 months, “Safe Park” has been mobile. This implies that children can play and learn at locations closer to their homes making it more convenient for the parents as need to travel a much shorter distance.

Impact: In 2023, to date, more than 500 children participated in program activities, and we expect this number to double by the end of the year.

“Safe Park” activities help children express their feelings, teach them life skills, and find solutions.

Thank you for giving the gift of a safe environment to vulnerable children in Zambia.

Younger children playing Zambian games

Children read and learn at the library

Links:

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Mar 12, 2023
Safe Park Activities and COVID Workshops Are Popular With Community Residents

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

Getting ready for group games

Community acceptance and approval: Power of Love’s COVID education/Safe Park program has gained in popularity with community leaders and organizations, and we are partnering with several community leaders/organizations. Over the last two years, educational games and COVID workshops are being held in church premises on Saturday mornings. In addition, children spend time in community libraries so they can improve their reading and writing skills. The community likes this program as it provides a safe place for children to play and learn. Education on COVID, HIV and malaria prevention, and PPE are provided resulting in improved physical and mental health for hundreds of children and their families. In addition, this program is integrated with Power of Love’s pediatric HIV care, micro loans, and project mosquito nets, so different family members can benefit from different programs.

Impact: In 2022, 933 children benefitted as compared to 728 in 2021, and 630 in 2020. Second, none of the 200 families who received long lasting insecticide treated nets contracted malaria. Third, 150 women got vaccinated against COVID after attending workshops. Finally, a few women enrolled in our micro loans program and are now running successful businesses.

A testimony: Here is a testimony from one the children who has participated in this program for the past several years and is now running a business started with loan funds she received from our micro loans program.

“I’m a 21-year old girl, when I was 8 years old I got to know my status and every time I think of it, it left me questioning if it was all my fault. I had serious anxiety when I started attending Safe Park the games, song education and the play therapy helped me learn that am not alone and that I can live a healthy life and that it wasn’t my fault. As children often like to be around other kids their age it made me feel the sense of belonging. Power of love foundation has helped me become a warm person again. It helped me want to be social again and recognize me being HIV positive isn’t anyone’s intentions. I am now a grown up girl with a health life I have continued to take my medication well am being motivated to come back and help in Safe Park so that I am able to encourage the children. Thanks to Matero care center for good services that I have received all of this has made me a better person in every way. I’m glad I got help when I needed most’. I have even received all the COVID vaccines and am living a healthy life.

Our plan is to continue to provide a safe environment for children to play and learn and keep communities informed about COVID, malaria, and HIV prevention. In addition, we will continue to build partnerships so that more families can benefit.

Thank you for giving the gift of health and a safe environment to vulnerable children in Zambia.

Using the library resources

Our community partners

Links:

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Dec 2, 2022
You are our hero

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

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