Psychologist, Anne Spencer “Play is an essential component in the development of children, affecting our physical, cognitive, emotional and social well being. As children play, they learn to define who they are and who they will become. Play is crucial for children; through their play experiences, they are able to improve overall physical fitness, build a variety of skills, work on problem solving, practice communication, and set goals to reach. Through the achievement of those goals, they establish confidence and self-esteem. Play allows children the opportunity to interact with their peers, independent of adults, where they can share expectations, understand and appreciate their unique differences, and develop lasting friendships."
Typical example of a playground in Slovakia - offering kids the bare minimum.
Providing a Destination
Our goal is simple. To provide playgrounds across the Slovakia and the Czech Republic. We understand there is a need throughout the world, but our mission is specific to this region.
We work with local leaders, civic organizations, schools, community groups, and churches to get playgrounds built in the places where they are needed most.
We pay particular attention to finding sites that have the greatest need for a playground while also reaching the greatest number of kids. We are diligent to include the small towns and villages that are often left forgotten. Kids are kids no matter where they live. And they just want to be kids.
Our initial focus is in the eastern part of Slovakia. This is the poorest region and one with the highest unemployment rate. We are concentrating our efforts in and around two cities - Prešov and Košice. We will eventually work our way west across Slovakia and into the Czech Republic trying to meet the needs of all children.
If you are Slovak or Czech living in the States or have a Czechoslovak heritage and you would like to have a playground built in a particular town, let us know and we will get it done. Or if you are just a person who cares about kids and would like to support our mission, consider having a playground built in honor or remembrance of someone. We will mount a bronze plaque engraved in that person's name at the site of the playground.
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We are partnering with the Lappset company to build the playground you see in the video at one of the sites below. Please make a donation now and help make this playground a reality.
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