THE TRAINING CAMP CONTINUES

Last week ended with a workshop in teambuilding. Everyone agreed that communication, respect, trust and the sharing of experience, knowledge and ideas are some of the fundamental factors to create a good team spirit and a well functioning cooperation. We also discussed our strengths and weaknesses in order to get to know each other even better. As I asked whether they were starting to feel as a team there were no doubts in their reply – they all bursted out in an unanimous “YES!”. It was satisfying to understand that the work the last couple of weeks has had a very positive effect on the team spirit.

Another week of workshops, training and learning has now begun.  To practice what we learnt in theory of different disabilities and to gain further knowledge of disabilities we started off this week by visiting a school for disabled children in Guguletu – another township in the outskirts of Cape Town. We had the opportunity to follow the work of an occupational and a physiotherapist and learnt how they assess the children, their improvements and some of the exercises they use to support the physical progress of the children. It was a very interesting learning experience! It was also delighting to realize that we could make use of our newly obtained knowledge in terms of our capability to evaluate the diagnosis of each child. I love hands-on skills and the feeling that you have actually learnt something useful!

Today we continued conducting interviews for the position of a fourth care giver. I learnt that as difficult it can be to separate the wheat from the chaff, as easy can it be to understand who is not meeting our expectations as an employee.

Like all the other weeks that I have been involved in Play on Wheels, this week has started out in the light of new skills, interesting discussions and further conviction of a brighter future for our kids.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Workshops, interviews, planning, discussions, arranging for further workshops, meetings… this week has so far been filled with various tasks, and I love it!

From the workshops facilitated by our occupational therapist the team (and me) has learnt a lot about intellectual disabilities and the physical and psychological functioning of body and mind. It has given us all a more profound understanding of the cause and nature of a different disabilities and how the mental illnesses can be prevented and improved. It has been very interesting and instructive sessions, but it has also made me realize how much more there is to learn. In a positive way.  Being introduced to such an exciting subject area has for me implicated a huge source of inspiration to gain even MORE knowledge. I feel like being on top of an iceberg, knowing that there is so much more to be explored. And I can´t wait to dig deeper into this field.

Today I also had a meeting with a lady who works with disabilities on a more psychological level and according to a theory called “Structural cognitive modifiability”.  The parts that I understood (! J) when she explained how this theory is applied on children with learning problems gave me a completely new perspective on how you develop skills to mentally disabled children. A new world opened up to me. I jumped on my chair out of excitement and further inspiration. She gave me so much hope in terms of the progress that the children participating in Play on Wheels are able to make! It was also a proof of the many ways and possibilities there are to remove the “dis” from disability.

TEAMWORK

Last week the vital work of forming a strong team for Play on Wheels began. By workshops and other activities the already identified staff members will be provided tools and knowledge to become a well educated, self-confident and well cooperating team. By these means they will be well prepared to take care of our adorable children, who deserve the best. Therefore we will work hard in the next coming weeks to achieve the goal of creating a team á la top notch.

To give the staff a visual idea of how Play on Wheels will operate we started off the course of training by visiting a centre for disabled children - Friend´s day centre.  Having operated for 53 years they have a long experience and have had time to build up an admirable facility, including a sensory room, outside pool area, a huge playground and a Jacuzzi for water therapy. The ambience and staff are wonderful. It is an ideal environment for children with disabilities to progress - and they do. I understand why the centre has become a role model for Play on Wheels. We could definitely learn a lot from them and especially receive a lot of INSPIRATION from them. Many ideas came to my mind during our visit. I realized how much you can actually do despite the fact that you are dump, blind, paralyzed or intellectual disabled. I also learnt that it is not only about stimulating the children with activities and physical objects to help them improve their health status. As one of the ladies working at the centre told me:  ”LOVE is what they need the most. Give them a lot of love and you will automatically notice what a huge difference that makes to these kids in terms of their progress”.  I will always remember that.

Getting to know each other as a team and building trust between the staff members also requires having a good time together. The week ended by a staff day at the ice skating rink. It was so much fun! None of the others had ever been ice skating before and they had to struggle to stand on their feet and not fall. ( And  to be honest, I wasn´t any better!) But they really put an effort into learning how to balance and make their way forward. They did not give up until the rink closed and they forced us to leave. Despite the struggling and falling they loved it and wanted to come back soon again to practice. That says a lot about this team. They are fighters who will never give up!

FACING THE REALITY IN LANGA

The start up of Play on Wheels requires a lot of work. Much has already been done but there are still numerous of tasks that need to be accomplished before the doors open in mid February. To get a better picture of the life and personality of the disabled children/youths participating in the program I have made interviews with the families, or more specifically with the mothers. The fathers are usually absent.

They all live in Langa – the township where Project Playground is operating. Comparing to the beautiful and sometimes luxurious areas of Cape Town this is a completely different world. People live in small houses or shacks, consisting of only one room but normally housing more than five family members or relatives. Bad construction makes it leak when it is raining and cold inside in the winter. Basic furnishing. Shared toilets and tap outside. All placed in an environment of dust, dirt and gravel. That´s their reality. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Since many of children are unmovable they don´t even leave the bed.

Given these living conditions and their medical condition I was expecting to meet miserable children, showing no signs of happiness. I can´t tell you how happy I was to realize that my preconceived perception was incorrect. From the very first moment with these kids I have been impressed by how wonderful and social they are. Despite their inability to speak, they have an incredible capability to express their feelings. Until now I have only been met by cheerful smiles and laughter, a huge amount of charm and kindness. And when it comes to the youths with Down Syndrome, they are true entertainers! J

However, it is obvious that they lack loads of stimulation. That is why Play on Wheels is much needed and of crucial importance. I am convinced that their involvement in the program will be life changing for them.

THE STARS OF PROJECT PLAYGROUND

Since Play on Wheels is not yet up and running I have had the pleasure to spend some time with the children at Project Playground. They are true shining stars! Their smiles and energy can lit up a whole world. As soon as they enter the center it is filled with their joy and positive energy. No one remains unaffected. The moment you step inside the center a wonderful feeling of warmth, happiness and affection is taking over each and every cell of your body and all you want to do is to return that feeling to the children.

Question: What is the reason behind the lovely laughters and their happiness?
Answer: Project playground

 Project Playground offers them the opportunity to engage in various activities, e.g. dance, soccer, debate and play. It gives them a chance to be nothing but kids and to forget about the outside world for a few hours.

Occasionally some kids are crying because of their extra need for attention but only once have I seen genuine tears falling down the cheeks of a child. Why? She could no longer come to the center and join the dance class because of additional school work. She cried because it was her last day at the center. This single incident made me truly understand the importance of Project Playground for these kids. Project Playground has created a second home to them – and if the kids where to decide, many of them would probably have liked it to be their primary home.

IMPRESSIONS

I am finally here, on South African ground, in Langa and most importantly, with Play on Wheels - the new division of Project Playground, focusing on disabled children.

Only a few days have passed since I got involved with Play on Wheels but the impressions are already countless. New faces, new names, new encounters, new interactions, new environments, new smells. The most predominant impression so far is however the exceptionally positive spirit which embraces the project. It is difficult to describe that remarkable atmosphere in words but it did not take me long to understand the source of it. The people. Never before have I met people who are so passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic about their work. If there is any team who will accomplish the vision and goal of Play on Wheels it is these staff members. They WILL make a huge difference, no doubt about it. You can see it by just looking into their eyes. I will certainly do my best to contribute to their crucial work.

Although my brain is completely exhausted from an overwhelming amount of impressions I am loving every second of my time here. And this is just the beginning!