Play time... regaining childhood

Starfish Projects

A man was walking along a beach when in the distance he could see

a small boy down on the shore line.
As he got closer he could see the hundreds and thousands of starfish,

washed up by an unusually strong tide, and left for dead stranded on the beach.

The man paused and watched the little boy repeatedly bending down,

picking each starfish up one by one and tossing it back into the water.

The man approached the little boy and said “Young man, what are you doing?

Stop as you will tire yourself out, there are too many starfish

stranded that you can’t make a difference here.”

The young boy with tears in his eyes looked up at the older man,

stooped down silently, picked up another starfish
and threw it back into the ocean.

 

“It made a difference to that one” he said.

 

                                                                                                                

Starfish projects are all about the children.

Sometimes the little things that impact children the most are the things that adults can dismiss so quickly. We all know that the need for education, for nutrition, for health care and a roof over their head is so important. Through the starfish projects we want to add onto that special treats for the children that although are not essential for them to live, are essential for them to live lives to the full.

Imagine never having had a good memory to recall about your childhood. We want to create lasting memories for the children, times when the difficulties are forgotten, times of fun, laughter and enjoyment. After each starfish event we give the children a set of photos in an album so they can enjoy looking back at the fun times.

Through the starfish projects we want the children to understand that they are not just provided for materially but that they are loved, valued and cared for.

        

Example Projects

Christmas Party - December 2008

150 children from the Mercy Homes were invited to a Christmas Extravaganza! For many of the children this was their first ever party. The children had 2 days of fun with overnight camping together. Games, singing, drama and talent shows were just some of the exciting events the children experienced. A Christmas movie was shown and of course there was a super Christmas feast with party hats, crackers and so much more… and what Christmas party would be complete without every child receiving their own special Christmas present. Click here to read 'Reports from the Field' to hear more from volunteers who have come out and got involved.

Easter Holiday Fun - April 2009

In April 2009 holiday camps were organised in 2 locations to cater for over 200 children.

We had 4 fun-filled days for the children with outdoor games, treasure hunts, singing, dancing, food and so much more! Look out for regular updates to hear about the different events we have run.

We also had some opportunistic interactive health and hygiene teaching with the children. Alongside this, whilst the children had their party, we ran our first parenting and child health course for the foster carers.

Please contact us for more information about how you could get involved.

Special Day Out

For those children we meet who we feel would benefit from some more individual time we offer ‘Days out’ for individuals or small groups of children. Days out can vary from a trip to the beach, meal at a restaurant, visit to a theme park etc. Volunteers who come can request a ‘Day Out’ event with the children… it would be a day you would not quickly forget.

Click here to read more about some of the memorable days out the children have loved

No matter how overwhelming facts and figures are about the suffering of children in our world, one by one we CAN make a difference in individual’s lives. Let us all stop for the one that is in front of us.