Making a Difference - Project Playground

Frida and Sofia with the PP soccer team

I first met Frida Vesterberg and Sofia Hellqvist during the 2010 soccer World Cup when they were about to embark on setting up Project Playground in Langa, one of  the oldest townships in Cape Town. I was impressed by the enthusiasm and vision of these two young Swedish women. Now two years later, Project Playground is flourishing with 239 children and 25 employees (all local).

What does the project do? 

They are an NPO which runs after-school and holiday programs for disabled and able children. The disabled children attend in the mornings and have individual therapy and participate in programs designed by their OT, Aimee Jansen. The rest of the children come after school and participate in sport activities such as soccer and BMX extreme biking; art and cultural activities like dance, marimba & djembe, vocal sessions, photography, as well as debating and homework support. 

Project Playground is based on the conviction that everyone has a right to a childhood (as stated in the UNCRC: article 31). They believe that self esteem is partly built on sport and recreational activities, and that strong individuals contribute to a society with decreased crime, teenage pregnancies, violence and poverty. 

Frida says that providing children with a safe place where they have a sense of belonging, where they can be kids and develop through sports and play, contributes to their self esteem and self image. She continues, “…the more you believe in yourself and your abilities, the harder you will work in school, and the more you'll invest in your life.”

PP also links with various outreach programs aimed at strengthening and educating the surrounding community. All the activities, transport and food is free of charge. They are not bound to any political or religious groups. 

Why do you do it?

“Since we were little girls, Sofia and I dreamt about doing this. I am unbelievably blessed to do what I do. Furthermore, I believe it is my duty to contribute in the areas I can. Imagine if we all just put a little bit more effort into being the change we want to see! 

I do what I do because I believe that every selfless and caring act contributes to peace; I believe by doing good where you can, in speech, thought and action, you will send out ripples of hope - and that those energy ripples create currents which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and evil.”

Frida likes the saying by Michael Beckwith:

“We are unlimited beings. We have no ceiling. The capability, the talents and the power that is within every single individual on this planet, is unlimited.”

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A Place to Play

I am getting involved with a project that aims to get kids off the street and give them a space to have fun, relax, be kids, be safe, exercise, channel energy, offer an alternative to the temptation of falling in with the wrong crowd, a place to hang out when there is nowhere else to go. It is really exciting and apart from the yoga class I will be teaching, there will be a dance teacher, and a hockey and soccer coach. It is going to be wonderful - there is such a need for a project like this in Langa. (Go see for yourself at Project Playground. 

We have the use of a large hall as well as another smaller room and a small outside area. There is a very nice soccer and hockey field around the corner from the project. It would be perfect if the field was made available to them in the afternoons. 

Sounds wonderful, doesn't it - a great project for all the right reasons and the facilities to make it happen. Here's the thing though -  the fields cannot be used because they need to be protected during the week to save the grass so that it can be used on the weekends for matches only.  So where are the kids who play matches practising? On the streets and anywhere else they can find space. Apparently people even try to break into the field to play! Langa could be harbouring the next generation of Bafana Bafana players and yet someone has come up with rules like these. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!

Our project co-coordinator, Frida, had a meeting with the board (of the soccer section only - she has to have another meeting with another board re the hockey field) and pointed out the folly of this arrangement (her petite status belies a fierce determination to get this project off the ground). So we now await the decision of the council. In the meantime, I am thinking of practising my toyi-toyi!