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As Covid-19 spread around the world in March 2020, Play Africa's team embraced design thinking to reimagine how to serve vulnerable young children and their families through isolation and uncertainty. We've innovated using low-cost, accessible technology and in-person programmes with physical distancing to reach new, underserved audiences. Throughout, our determination to support creativity, curiosity and connection through play never waned. 

Every child in South Africa deserves learning opportunities that spark imagination, critical thinking and communication - skills that will help them thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Amid the disruption, we’ve helped families support their children’s well-being, and fostered stronger bonds through play, thanks to the support of our donors and partners. This project was funded by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, with additional support from Rand Merchant Bank, Constitution Hill and Care for Education.

Heal and Connect is an original Play Africa programme in
response to the COVID-19 crisis. Guided by global frameworks
created by UNICEF, UNESCO, World Health Organisation and
others, Play Africa helps local schools and community groups
to create a humane, rights-based response to COVID-19 that
is rooted in play and mental health and psychosocial support.
Working closely with local schools and community groups, Play
Africa brings parents together through virtual support groups
with professional social workers. In addition, Play Africa
reaches out to families with one-on-one phone calls to offer
"Psychological First Aid," a research-backed response in
emergency settings to offer encouragement, information and
links to services. Supported by new education resources and
play-based learning materials, families can focus on healing,
connecting and developing new resilience for the future.

Play helps children make sense of the world, process complicated
feelings, and build relationships with others. Play Africa will work with local
partners to develop emergent, relevant responses guided by global and
local frameworks that will place play, healing and human connection at
the forefront of response strategies for children and parents.

For more information, contact us today at playafrica.org.za.