There’s a place between the planning and the finish line – somewhere between organized chaos and unexpected turns. A space filled with anticipation, hope, and hard work.
This is the middle. The in-between. The process. At Linc Foundation, our programmes are rooted in this very space. We nurture a child’s growth through playful learning and equip educators with tools, support, and imagination to enhance every step of the journey.
Why play matters
Fred Rogers once said:
Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is the work of childhood.
If adults take their work seriously, shouldn’t we honour play as the essential work of childhood?
Children are designed to imagine wildly, dream boldly, and explore endlessly. Imagination builds community, fuels innovation, and brings learning to life. Play should underpin a child’s world—a place of wonder, storytelling, and joy.
But what if that’s not the reality? What if childhood is filled with commands like:
When Play Is Missing
But what if that’s not the story of modern childhood?
What if instead of creativity and curiosity, they hear:
“Sit still. Don’t be loud. Watch your siblings. There’s no time. Don’t dream.” So, the question becomes: How do we make room for play in a world that seems to be squeezing it out?
The Answer Is the Process
We believe the answer is found in the middle—in the process, in relationships, in presence. Children thrive in this space. They move freely between what is and what could be. But for adults, the middle often feels uncomfortable, slow, uncertain, messy. And yet, it’s here—in the middle—that questions are asked, problems are solved, and new ideas are born.
That, dear adults, is play.
Our South African Reality
In South African schools, we see this tension every day:
- 60+ learners in overcrowded classrooms.
- Underfunded schools, overburdened educators
- Passionate educators who aren’t always reflected in the data.
- Urban schools where unstructured time is being swallowed by screens and pressure.
And yet, even here, in the heart of these challenges we ask again: How do we play with the desire to improve learning?
We do it by showing up. By collaborating. By refusing to let go of the dream.
Faith-Fuelled Futures
We envision an education system rebuilt on imagination, innovation, faith, and community, where the unique brilliance of each child and educator is seen, celebrated, and mobilised. One of the ways we’re doing this is by building a sensory spaces playground—the second of its kind in our journey.
After a successful build last year, we’re building again. This time, it will serve over 600 learners from Grade R to Grade 3.From assessments to design, from volunteers to resources—it’s a full process. We’ll be building in June 2025, and we’re right in the middle of it now. It’s bold. It’s messy. It’s beautiful. It’s a massive undertaking and like any meaningful journey, it’s a process. From planning to building, every step matters.
At Linc Foundation, we believe in bright, bold futures—not as a fantasy, but with faith-fueled certainty.
We build sensory playgrounds.
We bring LEGO into classrooms.
We run literacy and social-emotional programmes.
We support a thriving Homework Club.
We stay in the process. We don’t grow weary of doing good. We dream the unimaginable and get to work closing every gap we can.
Because children are the experts of imagination. And maybe it’s time we learn from them.
How will you play today?
Let’s imagine. Let’s build. Let’s play.