Child Protection Zambia Project #16571

COVID education/"Safe Park" for Children

by Power of Love Foundation

COVID education/"Safe Park" for Children

Project Report | Mar 7, 2020
Benefits of Playing in a Safe Space

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

Children Stay Malaria Free

Who attends "Safe Park"? “Safe Park” is Power of Love’s community outreach program and is free and open to all children in the community of Matero, in Lusaka, Zambia. Most children in Matero are vulnerable and/or orphaned; they live with extended families, grandmothers or older siblings and face hunger, disease, abuse and neglect. As a result, they need counseling, support, and a safe area to play freely; their families’ need information about organizations who could be help to them.

"Safe Park" benefits about 760 children and their families. As we plan new program activities for 2020, we would like to share the story of a typical child who participates in "Safe Park" and illustrate how your support is making an impact on vulnerable families and children.

Here is a story of Frank, one of the hundreds of children who join us in learning and playing every week. Frank and his brother are regular participants in “Safe Park” games and activities. They are cared for by their aunt and live with seven other family members in a home in Matero. The family can barely afford three meals a day. Since joining the program, Frank is happier and better adjusted to his difficult circumstances at home. He now participates regularly in games and activities and interacts well with other children. Frank’s family is happy that the children can play games and learn in safe environment and that the whole family receives a package of health care services to keep them healthy. They also receive counseling and support. In addition, they received long lasting insecticide treated nets and education on malaria last November. They are grateful and would like this program to continue in the community.

Impact of Safe Park: “Safe Park” activities impact hundreds of children like Frank get help with schoolwork, learn about HIV prevention, and their families are referred to government clinics for counseling and testing for HIV, TB and cervical cancer. In addition, the children are happier as they get an opportunity to play, interact freely with other children, and mentor younger children. All program activities are designed to help participants learn life skills, provide critical information (location of clinics for counseling) and malaria bed nets to family members. The result is a stronger and well-informed family and community.

Thank you for giving the gift of play to vulnerable children in Zambia.

Busy at work

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Dec 15, 2019
Thanks for Giving the Gift of Play and Learning to Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zambia

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

Oct 13, 2019
Saturday Mornings are for Play in a Safe Environment

By Alka Subramanian | Executive Director

Playing a Zambian game

Community Outreach Program

“Safe Park” is Power of Love’s community outreach program and is free and open to all children in the community of Matero, in Lusaka, Zambia. Program activities are held on Saturday mornings and any child from the community can join us in play and learning. Most children in this community are vulnerable and/or orphans; they live with extended families, grandmothers or older siblings and face hunger, disease, abuse, and neglect. They do not have a safe space to play, or an opportunity to express their concerns to a trained health care aide.

A Typical “Safe Park” Morning

A typical Saturday morning starts with the children gathering around in a circle and participating in games with the other children and staff members. Some of these games are described below. After games, the children are divided into groups according to their ages. The younger children engage in drawing, coloring, playing with blocks, toys, and dolls, while the older children attend short workshops on HIV, STI’s and safe sex. Most workshops are led by older children who have graduated from Power of Love’s pediatric HIV care program or children who want to share their experiences with peers/younger children. Some children bring their reports cards from school to share their progress with our team. Homework help is also provided. At the conclusion of these group activities/workshops, the children are provided with a snack before they leave for home. Family members of the children are welcome to join in the games and activities.

During the morning’s activities, our health care team observes the children for any signs of trauma, stress, grief or abuse and provides counseling to the child and family members.

Zambian Games Played

There are several Zambian games that the children play and enjoy. In addition to having fun while being physically active, most games teach children to run away danger, how to keep themselves safe from danger, report any potential danger to a trusted family member, and follow instructions at home an at school. A brief description of the games is given below.

Mulilo pa lupili (fire on the mountain): Everyone is given a number from 1-5 and they gather in a circle. One person stands in the middle of the circle and says, ‘mulilo pa lupili’ (fire on the mountain). The rest of the group answers ‘mulilo’ meaning ‘fire.’ The children disperse in a chaotic fashion and try to locate others with the same number. Anyone found without a group is out of the game.

Gogo na gogo (meaning assisting or helping one another in time of trouble or need): Children sit down in a circle and pass a stone rapidly to the next person while singing, “gogo na gogo”. The purpose of this game is to teach children to be alert and help one another.

Chizugulu, Chizugulu Tiye (going around): The song, ‘chizugulu, chizugulu tiye”, is sung while everyone is in a circle holding hands. Holding hands and singing they start going clockwise or anti-clockwise. While going clockwise or anti-clockwise, the children kneel and stand up alternately. The game requires concentration, reduces stress and is fun. It fosters friendships with peers.

I Pick the Ball: All participants are in a circle and one is in the middle singing “I pick the ball, I pick the ball, I put it here, pepeta, pepeta.’’ Pepeta means, “to shake the body” while kicking the ball. While singing, the person gives instructions (shake the body, dance, etc.) using the ball and everyone has to follow these instructions. When the person inside the circle is done, he/she points at someone else who then comes to the middle, sings and gives instructions. This is repeated until everyone has been in the center of the circle at least once.

Children from the community participate in these games enthusiastically and come back each week as they enjoy interacting with others.

Thank you for giving the gift of play and learning to orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia.

A workshop in progress

Hanging out

Leading a popular Zambian game

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