2018 Has seen us working towards the re-establishment of the Toy Library at our Hursthill venue in collaboration with FWC (Family Worship Centre). This has involved meetings with various stakeholders, recruiting volunteers, set-up of the actual area and space at the venue as well as the training and development of those involved as play facilitators.
The envisioned plan is to utilise this facility for the benefit of community upliftment programmes as well as sustainable initiatives to keep the various projects going. Without funding and the current economic crisis many NPO’s are having to look at a sustainable model to continue the work at the ground level. We are part of this mindset who need income generating activities to enable basic costs to be covered.
The Toy Library is being setup to enable such initiatives to take place – with paid for services(income generation), skills development and training in Early Childhood Development (sponsored through private and corporate interventions) as well as out reach programmes where play with children is the key focus towards their educational journey through the Edu-FUN support programmes.
We are part of a global conversation which understands the importance of play for children as their language of communication and their learning method. This surpasses demographic of colour and social status and speaks to every child’s right to learn & to education in a safe environment, surrounded by love and care. The Toy Library will also be used as a tool to reach out to other community organisations who focus of work with the elderly or people with disability to come and enjoy some stimulated fun in the local area. Areas of cognitive development, social skills and interaction, fantasy fun and play as well as creative expression will all be covered through the Edu-FUN program.
See our post on Edu-FUN for more information on this program.
Different areas for different growth development stages of play
Various activities include out door play items and indoor games
Much is needed to get this area play friendly with outdoor equipment and some light renovations including murals