A Vision Comes to Life
A year ago, our team, led by Play to Learn Coordinator Tammy Taylor, embarked on a mission to reimagine academic intervention in the schools we serve. In collaboration with the South African Institute of Sensory Integration (SAISI), we set out to build the very first sensory-integrated playground in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Concept of a Sensory-Integrated Playground
The concept of a sensory-integrated playground was developed through the research of Annemarie Van Jaarsveld and an incredible team of sensory-integration occupational therapists. Their goal was to provide occupational therapy support to learners aged 4-10 in low-income communities. This initiative allows children to develop essential skills, such as postural control, bilateral coordination, and fine and gross motor abilities, all of which contribute to improving their reading and writing skills.
Building Our First Playground
After months of planning, generous donations, and the efforts of an amazing team of volunteers, we successfully built our first sensory integration playground at Sogidi Primary School in Ndwedwe. This space not only marks a significant milestone in our work with the children of Sogidi but also serves as a fitting tribute to the late Nokuthula Sibisi, the school’s former head. Nokuthula was deeply passionate about empowering her learners and recognised the importance of meaningful academic interventions to ensure the success of all learners.
A Community Effort
The week of construction was a beautiful experience of community in action. A team of 10 parents and community members volunteered their time and energy, enabling us to complete the build in record time while ensuring the safety of the learners who will use this fantastic facility. Friends of the foundation demonstrated unwavering dedication throughout the process, providing the necessary resources, support, and leadership to see this project through.
We were also fortunate to have incredible funders who ensured we had the catering, resources, and manpower needed to bring this vision to life. The school staff played a crucial role in organising various aspects of the week, and we are deeply grateful to every individual who stepped away from their usual duties to be part of this experience. We were especially lucky to have Annamarie Van Jaarsveld and Leanne Fleischmann from SAISI join us during the build.
Reflection and Gratitude
We concluded the week with a conversation with our community volunteers. Dumazile Mdluli, a parent and volunteer, beautifully summarised the lessons we learned:
“We planted trees that will one day provide shade for future learners and parents.”
As we celebrate this exciting achievement, we are fully aware of the incredible collaboration that made it possible. We look forward to partnering with other schools to make learning accessible and enjoyable for all learners.
