Thanks to the help of individual donations and a grant from the Canadian Embassy, I am very happy to finally tell everyone that the playground at the Centro Social SOS in Mindelo will be completed in March 2011! I would like to thank everyone who has given support to this project and I will post pictures when it is completed!

Mnine D’Rua Ma Mim~ Cordas do Sol

N tive uns tenpe na rua t’anda

K’uns mnine d’rua ma min t’anda

No anda ta preguta

Onde k’tinha proteson pa es tma

Uvide nigen ka da

Tenson nen ka bo fala

Es pensa k’es ka tava oia

Kes mnine d’rua fka ta txora

N tive uns tenpe na rua t’anda

K’uns mnine d’rua ma min t’anda

No anda ta pregunta

Onde k’tinha proteson pa es tma

Uvide nigen ka da

Tenson nen ka bo fala

Es pensa k’es ka tava oia

Kes mnine d’rua fka ta txora

Ai munde ai munde

Es e mnine d’ua ma es meste nos tude

Ai munde ai munde

Un kalker d’nos pudia ser mnine d’rua

This afternoon when I came back to the SOS after lunch, I went to check out what the kids were doing after they ate lunch.

With some cement blocks, cardboard and some rocks they had constructed a little fort (coincidentally in the space where the playground will be built). It was such a nice surprise and showed me how much joy such a simple space can give them. Of course this is not the ideal place for them to play, which they were reminded when they crawled in and one of the kids screamed out when he was pushed onto a rock. As I pushed a piece of broken glass away to take the photo of them, I couldn't help but think about how great this space will be for them when the playground is built.

(the inspiration for the design)

The playground will be located in a 200 square meter space next to the existing football field. It will be enclosed by a wall, which must be constructed to protect the playground from rain and erosion. The playground will have an elevated wooden structure (fort), two swings (connected to the fort), two seesaws and a tire structure for climbing. View of playground from above. It will have an elevated wooden structure (fort) in the middle, with two swings, two seasaws and a climbing tire tower.

Google Image of the SOS Social Center

Space where playground will be built

SOS Playground Project

Location: Open space near football field at SOS Social Center of Mindelo - Aldeias SOS de Cabo Verde

Participants: Internal and semi-internal beneficiaries of the SOS Social Center of São Vicente, Street Children and children in the surrounding communities of Ribeira Craquinha and Ribeira Julião

Cost of Project: $13.288,67 USD; 1.036.516,40$00 Cabe Verdean Escudos

Project Mangers: Peace Corps Volunteer and Coordinator of Socio-Cultural Activities

Collaborators: Professors of UniCV – DECM, in Ribeira de Julião, São Vicente; Grupo Marc António, e other institutions.

Description of Organization:

The SOS Social Center of São Vicente is apart of the SOS Children’s Village Project in Cape Verde, aimed at the Prevention of Child Abandonment and Reinforcing the importance of family structure.

This institution’s work is geared at meeting the needs of children who spend a great deal of their time on the street, without the protection and care of their family. By working with their families and providing them with the support they need, they are in turn able to provide a more stable home and to take care of the needs of their children.

Currently, the Program for Prevention of Child Abandonment at the SOS Social Center works with a total of 450 children distributed over 116 families, and about 80 children who attend the Center (during morning and afternoon), and 6 internal children. Other children who do not attend the Center benefit through our program through payment of school fees, school equipment and / or psychosocial care. In addition, we also have a project called "New Horizons" which works with about 26 children and youth who live in the streets of Mindelo.

In addition to training services and socio-psychological care, the Social Center works to provide socio-cultural activities for children during their leisure time. These activities help facilitate the Prevention of Child Abandonment Program by helping children develop their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive and emotional strength.

*If you would like a copy of the budget please email us at SOSPLAYGROUND2010@gmail.com

You can help us make this playground a reality by donating to our fund.

You don't need a paypal account to donate, just a credit/debit card!

Thank you for your help!!