ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND IN GOBABIS

Location: Gobabis, Namibia
Date: July 31, 2006 - August 18, 2006
Cost of Materials Funded by imagine1day: US$2,205
Partners: Raleigh International (UK) and Light for the Children (Namibia)

the project:

Fourteen international volunteers designed and built an adventure playground for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) from the local community. The project was completed in partnership with Raleigh International and Light for the Children, a local NGO that provides support for OVCs. The playground provides a sport and recreation facility for 150 OVCs.

The final construction included a climbing frame, ladders, bridge, slide, fireman's pole, balancing elements, tunnels, see-saws and two swings. The playground was designed with minimal moving parts to minimize stress points and breakages. Individuals from the local community learned about the methods and materials used which enable them to make basic repairs as required.

outcomes:

It has been shown that schools with more recreational facilities have greater attendance records, as these amenities attract the children to the facility. It is also believed that providing such a focal point for children prevents the younger generation from getting involved with less desirable activities, as it provides an environment to exercise and more importantly, to have fun. Furthermore, the playground will serve to develop the spatial awareness and motor co-ordination of the children that use it, which is imperative to early childhood development.

The benefits to the local children and community are seen at many levels. Project achievements include:

• Successful design and construction of the playground
• Daily involvement in teaching and sports with the learners
• Cultural exchange between the community, learners and young international volunteers
• Non-technical assistance in the continuing development of classrooms, toilets, storage facilities on-site
• Strengthening of the relationship with Raleigh International and Light for the Children resulting in future projects.

update January 2007

Discussions with the project partners have confirmed that the playground is still in good condition and is getting used everyday by all the young people. They are enjoying the playground 6 months after completion and Light for the Children is very pleased with the outcome and continued usage of all the elements. The development of the site is ongoing and the permanent structure for the classrooms and storage areas is nearly completed.

gobabis

Gobabis is a small 'frontier' town 230km east of Windhoek in the Omaheke region of Namibia. It has a growing population, large unemployment rate and poor infrastructure in place to deal with the temporary, unregulated housing expanding around the outskirts of the town. There is no running water, electricity or sanitation provided in the temporary housing area near where Light for the Children is based.

experienced partners

raleigh international

Since 1998, Raleigh International has constructed over 20 playgrounds in five regions of Namibia. Raleigh is committed to continuing its support for creating a secure, sustainable learning environment in rural isolated communities.

Registered in the UK, the charity has been successfully running programs at home and overseas for over 21 years. Over 180 expeditions have been completed, in more than 36 countries, involving over 26,000 people, from more than 80 nations.

light for the children

Light for the Children was established in 2003 under the umbrella of the Omaheke Gospel Trust with the objective of alleviating the situation caused by poverty that many OVCs found themselves in living on the outskirts of Gobabis, Namibia. They are currently building educational facilities and have a feeding programme in place Monday to Friday to cater for 150 OVCs of all Namibia's ethnic backgrounds.

OVCs represent a growing marginalized population of young people that are living in poverty with limited access to public services. These children often fall outside the system and do not attend school or have access to basic medical care. Often they are living with extended relatives in poorly serviced areas with little or no infrastructure, such as water, electricity and sanitation. Unfortunately there is little or no education for the parents and care givers of OVCs regarding the availability, benefits and true costs of education and basic services in their local area.

Many OVCs are orphaned as a direct result of the HIV/AIDs pandemic. It is estimated that 24% of the Namibian population is HIV positive. The impact that this will have on the growth of the OVC population in years to come is dramatic. Namibia will face increasing problems over the next decade developing inclusive strategies that will enable this growing demographic to have access to education and benefits.