Since March 2024, we have connected with 91 volunteers in our Volunteer Play Ambassador programme, continued empowering 29 young people in our Youth Play Ambassador programme, and supported 39 households through our Play@Home programme. We’ve also inspired 26 parents at our play events.
Youth Play Ambassadors Making a Difference
Our Youth Play Ambassadors (YPA) visit families in Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Manenberg as part of our 8-week Play@Home programme. They demonstrate how to be positive role models, support each other through play, and build emotional regulation skills and confidence. These young ambassadors are empowered to excel in life and become positive influencers in their communities.
One of our Level II YPA's, who started the programme as a shy 16-year-old and is now confident enough to lead peer meetings and activities.
“I’ve struggled with communicating and expressing my feelings so much, but the Play Ambassador programme forces me to get out of my shell, open up, and voice out. I’ll be forever thankful for that.” - Annie
In June 2024, we held a YPA training day to reflect on their roles, set personal goals, and share the highlights and challenges of the programme. Using Sisanda's PlaySMART framework, training workshops help them become positive role models and active citizens. Many young participants, like Annie and Zintle, start the programme shy but gain confidence and communication skills through these workshops.
Play Ambassadors get a better understanding of their own feelings and responses, as well as those of the children and families they interact with. This knowledge and understanding can be applied in many aspects of their lives.
“The Resilience Zones [training] helped me a lot with my emotions and on how to react to situations that I cannot manage in life.” – Zintle
Community and School Support
We’ve had overwhelming support from secondary schools and colleges, including VC Cares from Varsity College, Wynberg Girls, International School of Cape Town, Rustenburg Girls, and Grow Abroad. One volunteer shared:
“Thank you for the opportunity to give back to the community and bring joy to children's faces.”
The Power of Play
Our mission is to foster the qualities of ‘PlaySMART’, a framework we use for building resilience through play, uplifting mental health and encouraging active citizenship. By integrating play into their lives, our Play Ambassadors make a significant impact on vulnerable communities. Nwabisa, a participant, reflects on her growth:
"Being a PA helped a lot. I can now set goals and make informed decisions. The support from this programme boosts confidence and helps overcome challenges."
Do you want to join us in creating joyful moments for all and also get the benefit of learning and using the PlaySMART framework in your own life? Volunteer now.
Comments