OUR CURRENT FUNDRAISER is to support EVERY child’s right to learn and develop through the power of play as we partner with The Power of Play (and their fiscal sponsor, Lubirds Light Foundation) to BUILD A PLAYGROUND for sight and hearing impaired children in Sri Lanka. We love SO MUCH about this project, especially how The Power of Play focuses on building playgrounds in developing countries and hard-to-reach-communities. | March & April, 2023
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WHY this MATTERS …
Millions of children lack basic access to play. We’re on a mission to change that. -The Power of Play team
The Power of Play builds sustainable playgrounds for children in need of a space to play freely all around the globe. Its mission is to support every child’s right to learn and develop through the power of play by creating a safe, loving and fun environments that allows children to do what they do best – play! Play is not only vital in childhood development, but it is their right as declared in Article 31 of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Their projects focus on children living in conditions that have stripped away this right and we are committed to bringing joy and happiness back into their lives.
Here is a glimpse at who they are and how they do what they do (do you LOVE this as much as we do?):
ABOUT the playground in SRI LANKA …
Program Summary: The Power of Play has partnered with the students of Emily Carr University of Art + Design and the Guangdong University of Technology to design an innovative playground for sight and hearing impaired children at the Sivaraja Deaf and Blind School in Nattandiya, Sri Lanka. Students from these universities have gathered for a two-week workshop alongside local students from Sri Lanka to design a playground that is incorporating sensory play, is accessible, and is sustainable.
Challenge: Children with visual and auditory impairments face many hardships in developing countries. Nattandiya is the third poorest district in Sri Lanka, a country in economic crisis. Parents are lining up for gas and there is increasing desperation as food costs soar. Amidst this reality are the children, who require time and space to play. Through play, kids gain confidence, skills, friendships, and self-awareness.
Solution: The playground will not only help the 94 children of the Sivaraja Deaf and Blind School, but the nearby community, too, thus reaching more children. Playground elements will include natural surroundings to create hills and canals, integration of all five aspects of play, and sensory elements to stimulate the senses. This will enable the children to be kids, to realize their potential, and for the community to see the independence and confidence children gain from their playground experiences.
Long-Term Impact: Play is vital to a child’s development. Building a playground for the kids in this community can decrease stress, heal emotional trauma, and foster both imagination and creativity. By using sustainable materials, we will also reduce the environmental impact of the project. Once completed, this playground will be a special place for the children to gain confidence in their abilities, learn to navigate their world and to rise above their individual challenges.
Financials: $15,000 has been raised through partners the Bliss Project. Seeds of Exchange is running a community fundraiser for an additional $10,000 in March and April, 2023.
LuBirds Light Foundation (our fundraiser’s fiscal sponsor) has a mission to create extraordinary, one of a kind playgrounds for children and families of all needs and enhance existing playgrounds by adding supported swings. Co-founded by our dear soul sister, Juliet Hicks Dawkins, this organization is near and dear to our hearts … and their fiscal sponsorship has made it possible for Seeds to partner with The Power of Play and build a playground in Sri Lanka, together!
In this episode of The Seeds Storyteller Series, I have the joy and honor to talk about our global collaboration to build a playground in Sri Lanka with Reza, founder of The Power of Play, Juliet, co-founder of Lubirds Light Foundation, AND Sofia, Andrea, and Agustina with DOC LAND Films, about this heart-warming and globally-impactFULL project. WATCH … LEARN … BE INSPIRED … and FIND more of your story right here!
LEARN MORE about The Power of Play and it’s impassioned founder, Reza, in this 15-minute video created by the award-winning team at DOC LAND Films:
LEARN MORE ABOUT & CONNECT …
Growing up in Iran during Iran and Iraq war, play was my escape and my light in that darkness. Later on in life through a near death experience, I realized the opportunity of living and passing on the light of play to those kids that are missing this fundamental right. I am committed to support children’s mental health with play, and through that, connect the children and make our world a better place. My favorite quote is from George Bernard Shaw: “We don’t stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.” –Reza Marvasti, The Power of Play
JOIN US as an EVERYDAY PHILANTHROPIST …
As part of our call to all to be an everyday philanthropist, each month I spotlight a project or program in the world. Our partner’s focus is in at least one of these five categories: human rights, education, health, community emergencies, and art-activism. I am blessed with a huge pool of changemakers in my community – so there is never a lack of trusted organizations with whom to partner.
This sort of “everyday philanthropy” is about an unrestrained generosity rooted in the reality of your everyday life. Generosity feels good. It is part of your purpose on the planet. It finds ways to share with others the treasure trove of whatever you have and whatever you love. It makes a difference with your small and large acts alike … living with a commitment and connection to your sisters and brothers near and far. Explore and discover your unique – right here and now – calling to be an everyday philanthropist today.
I get it: These stories and the very invitation to give and to BE philanthropists isn’t always comfortable. Or easy. Sometimes it’s the world’s pain pricking our hearts that wakes us up to see – and say yes! – to our destiny.
When you donate (THANK YOU!), we invite you to JOIN the Seeds Giving Fund as a monthly donor. It’s simple to set up once and your donation will be automatically directed towards our fundraisers throughout the year. Know that you are helping people each and every month. Consider stretching and giving as much as you can. If that’s $10 (=2 lattes a month!), that is plenty! *All donations are tax deductible.*
Over the past 10 years, we’ve partnered with people in more than a dozen countries around the world and raised over $200,000. We raise funds to support communities in need and people who are making a powerful difference. Our partner’s focus in each fundraiser is in at least one of these five categories: human rights, education, health, community emergencies, and art-activism.
So, today and together, let’s dispute the suggestion that philanthropy is an exclusive club only for those deemed wealthy. Today and together, let’s dispute that the only thing that matters and makes a difference is giving in “big” ways. The movement that will be unleashed when we live as generously unrestrained philanthropists WILL light up the world.
You are loved.
We belong to each other.
Let’s standTALL together and light up the world!
xo, -Sarah Davison-Tracy, Seeds of Exchange
