My story

Its been 2 years now, since I started raising money for Play Action International (PAI) (formerly East Africa Playgrounds). Motivated by the opportunity to enrich childrens lives by given them the right to play, and the chance to see some of the last gorillas in the world, I have stuck with PAI and wish to see it through to the end.

With COVID appearing in 2020, the trip has been postponed twice, but 3 times is the charm, and hopefully this year will be the one where we make it happen! I havent done any fundraising in a long while now but  the new year has motivated me to start again for the final stretch. My latest fundraiser, hiking Snowden in my undies, will hopefully bring me closer to my goal.

If you want to stay up-to-date with my progress you can follow me on my social media:

• Instagram: @willbayfarrell https://www.instagram.com/willbayfarrell/?hl=en

• Twitter: @BayfieldFarrell https://twitter.com/BayfieldFarrell
  

If you are a new donator and what to hear PAI's full story the next few paragraphs should hopefully give you a better idea of what we are doing. And if you're feeling generous why not donate! You will be helping hundred of childen get through school and enjoy their childhoods!

Play Action International

Our mission is to ignite every vulnerable child’s potential in East Africa through the power of play! In many communities across East Africa, play is not seen as a priority, despite it being one of the fundamental rights of a child. By increasing access to play and education, we support the long-term health, well-being and employment prospects of children, empowering them to map their own paths to brighter futures. Play gives children their childhoods back, and we believe that every child, everywhere, deserves to enjoy the benefits of play.

Where would we be without the magic of play?

Join me in helping build a playground in Uganda, I have signed up to East African Playgrounds Gorilla Trek to help raise funds and build a playground in Uganda this summer. East African Playgrounds has built over 300 playgrounds across Uganda in schools, community centres are refugee settlements. These playgrounds are not only a vital space to have fun, make friends and play together but also they have proven to increase school attendance and enrolment, reduced antisocial behaviour and increase the perceived importance of children having their childhoods.

From gaining a new playground a teacher from Kawule Primary School explains how she is now able to use it as a learning resource.
"Before the playground was installed, I would struggle to teach topics, such as budgeting and money, due to lack of resources. But ever since the playground was installed, I have been using the play shop for the children to learn through role play, resulting in the children grasping the topic much faster and with deeper understanding."

Alongside building playgrounds East African Playgrounds also run educational play programmes which increase the use of play-based teaching, resulted in deeper more connected learning outcomes. And as part of the construction of the playgrounds EAP provides a welding apprenticeship programmes for street connected young people, providing them with the skills, knowledges and experiences to create a prosperous future for themselves.

What a difference your donation makes
£5.11 can give one child their childhood back through access to a safe, fun and child-focussed playground.
£21.83 can educate a teacher on the importance of including play in education and creates a peer network for them to share their learning in.
£73.80 can equip a street connected young person with everything they need to learn the basics of welding, from their own set of work boots through to ear defenders and glasses.
£131 can teach a community of caregivers and educators about the importance of play at home and school, as well as how to maintain their playground.
£197.61 can train a street connected young person for a month to become a qualified builder or welder through our apprenticeship scheme.