What do children do when there is simply not enough space to play?

This blog is devoted to Patras, Alexandra, Vlad and Chrysa. Three valiant children from the over crowded city of Patras, Greece. Patras has been almost entirely built over leaving only small nooks and crannies to play. After years of being abused, told off and shoo'ed away by the other locals who just want peace and quiet these 4 decide to take matters into their own hands. Over more than a year the children lobby to meet with the mayor to ask for a playspace where they wont have to fight for their right to play.

Will the children succeed? click below…

some beautiful quotes from the children in response to being told to play on the computer instead of being noisy (playing) in the street. "You surf the internet from noon until midnight and finally go to bed and what have you gained. NOTHING with capital letters….. But, when you play football its a laugh, you argue, score goals, you feel happy when you win and sad when you lose, you do excercise without realising it. it does you good. you make friends and get closer to them. Football is great, Internet is crap."

I am not sure I completely agree but I think this is a beautiful summary of the importance of play in a childs life.

This 20 min shortened report of " The game must go on" was aired on BBC world news 27.06.2010 and I would love to speak with the makers of the full feature film to use it for a fundraiser night.

Here is the trailer.

Here is the 2 part "digest version" from the BBC. still worth a look.

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NEWSLETTERS

Newsletter 5 : What do hair salons and playgrounds have in common?

Newsletter 4: Play is the beginning of knowledge

Newsletter 3 : Important: playground competition declared open.

Newsletter 2 : GoPlay! in The Philippines, Fiji and Peru! Help us get There!

Newsletter 1 : Goplay! is GO

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To get involved email us at Marcus@playgroundideas.org

Go Play! (we are now called www.playgroundideas.org), a non-profit that builds playgrounds throughout the developing world for some of the world’s most disadvantaged children, is seeking to hire enthusiastic, dedicated interns starting in last half of 2010 . Interns will work individually and collectively with each other and with the executive staff of Playgroundideas.org. Candidates may work remotely, using a series of web-based tools or can be located near our our Australia office in Melbourne.

Interns commit to 10-15 hours per week of unpaid work. Interns will be able to work independently on their own time. Must have access to a computer and reliable, high speed internet access (for file transfers and Skype calls). Interns typically work a period of four to six months. There will be a one month trial period, after which the intern will sign a contract.

In addition to general intern responsibilities, each intern track has a particular focus:

Social network Intern: Maintain and improve social networking sites and blog and other online presences including Facebook and website. Tasks include copy writing, researching great stories, editing and proofing. Think: stylish magazine editor with a bucket of sand and a little plastic shovel.

Organisation Development Interns (2): Development Interns work closely with the Managing Director on grant writing, business management and goal setting, event planning, donor relations and other aspects of nonprofit management. They will also support staff with administrative needs, outreach projects, events, tutoring and other programming issues. Think: Admin assistant and social butterfly.

Program Intern: Helping coordinate playground construction projects abroad. Tasks will include researching NGO partners, coordination with project managers on the ground, researching curriculum topics. Think : slick event manager with overalls under your power suit.

To apply, please send an email to Marcus Veerman at Marcus@playgroundideas.org with the following documents (in Word document or PDF format) attached: resume, cover letter, and list of three references (with phone numbers and email addresses). Please indicate which intern position you are interested in applying for. Interns are accepted on a rolling basis and are required Now.

Applicants should use their cover letter to highlight their experience in one or more of the following areas:

– Web design

– Publishing or editing

– Office or administrative experience

– Marketing/ social marketing / fundraising

– Grant-writing

– Art & design

– Computer & web

– Nonprofit management or volunteer coordination

– Event planning or fundraising

– Spanish language skills

To learn more about us please see www.playgroundideas.org. We look forward to hearing from people passionate about helping to give children in extreme circumstances a place to play and be free.

To get involved email us at marcus@playgroundideas.org