Month: May 2022

Our beginnings, our mission, our work, and why we advocate worldwide for kids to be kids.

A Doc Land Films Production on The Power of Play [WATCH FULL VIDEO HERE!]

In our collective efforts, we possess the ability to transform the lives of future generations, building a brighter future, one playground at a time.

By contributing a mere $12, you can make a lasting impact at https://thepowerofplay.ca/donate/. Your generous donations empower children to embrace the joy of childhood, allowing them to simply be kids. Join us in making a difference!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to @doclandfilms, @sofidm7, @stevenpriovolos_dp, @philgriffithsfilms, and @filmsbynomad for their unwavering support and unwavering dedication to our cause.

Together, let’s unlock the boundless potential of play and create a world where every child thrives.

“Reza Marvasti: Unlocking The Power Of Play For A Better Future.”

Podcast with Spencer Lodge & CEO Reza Marvasti__Searching for the meaning of life? This NGO may have found an answer.

Feeling like being inspired today? PODCAST ALERT A Must listen! 

 

Spencer Lodge hosted The Power of Play’s CEO and founder, Reza Marvasti, on The Spencer Lodge Podcast. Reza shared how The Power of Play started, its work, and what inspired Reza’s journey to “Let kids be kids.”

 

Reza Marvasti is the Founder and CEO of The Power of Play, an NGO that builds sustainable playgrounds for children in underprivileged communities.

 

Reza is a former extreme athlete who, after a life-changing event, went on a journey of self-discovery.⠀⠀⠀⠀

This led him to discover his life’s purpose of creating safe spaces for children who have experienced extreme hardship. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

By doing this, kids rediscover childhood, process trauma, and make sense of the world through creativity and play.

In Spencer’s latest episode on the podcast, he talks with Reza about:

• His difficult childhood
• Finding the Meaning of Life
• How The Power of Play operates and builds playgrounds

Spencer and his team came to Rwanda last month to help us build a playground. The time spent and getting to know Spencer was nothing short of wonderful. Huge THANK YOU to him and his team for supporting us on our mission to support every child’s right to learn and develop through the power of play.

Reza’s story and foundation are truly inspirational and I know his story will change your outlook on life.

Watch the video interview or listen to the full podcast here on your chosen platform.

“The Power of Play and how a thrill-seeking Canadian entrepreneur became a tireless benefactor of children Africa and around the world”- written by Tom Bussen

Thank you, Tom, for this wonderful write up in Readers Digest Canada of TPOP’s Founder & CEO Reza Marvasti and the journey of how our wonderful organization came to be!

View the full March 2022 online issue HERE.

Danielle Riberio from Great.com interviewed The Power Of Play’s CEO and Founder, Reza Marvasti, as part of their ‘Great.com Talks With…‘ podcast. This series is an antidote to negative news stories that aims to shed light on organizations and experts whose work is making a positive impact on the world.

A playground is a relatively safe environment where kids can express themselves. You see children playing different games, from free play games to imaginary play games, pretend play, and active play. Playgrounds are essential for early childhood education and development. That’s why in this episode, Danielle spoke with Reza.

“We are a nonprofit organization that builds outdoor play areas.” Reza says that children explore the world through play. Kindergarten children play peek-a-boo to learn about the environment. But not just that, children learn about the world through play.

You can also watch the interview on The Power of Play Youtube here.

Building Together Through The Power Of Play

Our organization encourages playful learning through our playgrounds. It is a form of escapism that many young children need to cope with stress and trauma. If an adult needs therapy to cope with harmful effects, children need creative play, outdoor play, free play, and other forms to deal with the same effects.

Great.com is an organization aimed at solving the world’s most dire problem — global climate change. Starting in New Jersey, their mission is to take money from an otherwise harmful and greedy industry (online casinos) and move it towards a positive and good cause (solving the climate crisis). In addition to directly donating 100% of the revenue they earn in the casino industry, they also launch and manage fundraising campaigns to persuade casino entrepreneurs to donate. So far, they’ve generated over $2 million to climate research through their own donations and proceeds from their fundraising initiatives.

Our youngest volunteer, Maria, joined The Power of Play (TPOP) when she was only 19 years old. After graduating high school, Maria decided she needed to explore the world, get to know herself and the meaning of her life before choosing a career or a specific university program in Germany. Originally, her plan was to go to South America to learn Spanish while volunteering there. However, COVID-19 decided otherwise, and Maria ended up in Rwanda for nine months. There, she met Reza, the founder of TPOP, in December 2020. He not only included her in the building of one of the first children’s playgrounds in Kerezo, Mubuga, Nyamagana and Nyarutovu, Rwanda, but also introduced her to many friends he had already made there. From the second day in Rwanda, Maria had a new family of people who were making a difference in the lives of the local children. She instantly fell in love with the people of Rwanda and The Power of Play. 

Over the next nine months, Maria learned how to use power tools, help design a playground, build a swing, manage an entire playground build, and how to promote TPOP on social media. She gained invaluable skills as a project manager, carpenter, painter, community organizer, and social media manager.
 
This experience guided Maria to get to know herself further, to understand what she enjoys, and what she truly wants in life. Being hands on, on the ground, and impacting children is a lasting joy and a passion that will help guide her in the future years to come. 

While volunteering for TPOP, Maria learned to enjoy being in the moment. She also discovered that she enjoys working with children and watching them play. Her enthusiasm for Rwanda and The Power of Play’s projects infected her entire family. In July of 2021, they joined her in Mukingo, Rwanda, including her younger brother Tomek to help build The Power of Play’s fifth playground. Tom really enjoyed helping with the playground build, the same way Maria’s parents enjoyed supporting the people of Mukingo with clothes and medical assistance.
 
Maria did not only develop experience in building and managing playgrounds for TPOP, but she also started a Mental Health Coaching online education program while in Rwanda. Her own personal development while working for TPOP inspired her to learn more about mental health. Through this online program, Maria learned how to deal with difficult life situations and how to help others to do the same.
The 19-year-old teenager who left for Rwanda has become a mature young lady that has developed a passion for helping others. She has acquired greater cultural sensitivity, become more adept at intercultural communication,learned about community development and outreach, and has learned to engage with diverse populations and project beneficiaries, thanks to volunteering for TPOP for nine months
 
Why should YOU become a volunteer for TPOP? Maybe you are ready to take part in a project that makes a difference in children’s lives. Maybe you want to experience different cultures and other people’s lives. Or maybe you want to grow personally, learn new skills and see purpose in your daily life. Whatever stage of life you are in right now, I can promise you that it can be as beautiful and fulfilling as Maria’s life has become through volunteering with The Power of Play.