Anne Marie Tipper
(Co-founder of Play Kenya)


So much has changed for the good since we first went over to Kenya – but sadly some things have shown no improvement at all.  

When Debbie and I first arrived in Nakuru in July 2006 we were pretty shocked to see some of the stark conditions that some of the children lived, within some orphanages. There were babies who were in desperate need of medication and basic provisions and we helped where we could. Other children lived in good loving orphanages and yet they still displayed concerning behaviors and difficulties that were linked to their early life experiences.

It soon became apparent that it was the children themselves who we were best qualified to help.




When you hand money to organizations one can never be sure how much is used in admin charges and how much actually gets to those who need us the most, and as a charity we knew we need to be totally sure that the money people donated was used for the direct benefit of the children.

Play Kenya was developed to support the emotional well being of the thousands of children that had been orphaned, abused, neglected and abandoned in orphanages and institutions in Kenya.

One of the orphanages that embraced and supported the work of Play Kenya was Mission In Action, where we still train and supervise our Attachment Play Programme, and have been thrilled to experience the impact of a holistic approach to the emotional needs of these little ones. There have been many children who have changed beyond recognition because of the joint work of Play Kenya and MIA

Our work in Kenya has so far included introducing and supervising our Attachment Play Programme in many orphanages and organizations including women’s prisons where the children are with their Mothers until they are 4 years old; one-to-one interventions with some very vulnerable children; the training and continued development of local carers; outings and celebrations for children who have experienced so little in their lives; help to access much needed medical intervention, without which the child who have a very traumatized childhood and adulthood and support and training to help children stay safely within the family.

Play Kenya has watched the development of the Juvenile Remand Centre, to name just one place in town, where the right leadership has really empowered the vulnerable children who arrive at its door. We are proud to employ Gtonga who is in constant contact, and a great support to these very needy children. We are providing training that will continue to infiltrate the very places where a deeper understanding of the emotional needs is essential.

However, Play Kenya continues to be distressed by the plight of many children and have vowed to support where we can. One area where there is a huge void in the support to both the girls and their families is young sexually abused girls. Because of the possible lack of understanding the emotional needs of very young children who have been raped and abused, Play Kenya have undertaken to develop therapeutic centres and houses for these girls.

There is more about this if you look at Rafiki Mwema. This is the beginning of this support. There are many more vulnerable girls and boys who have been sexually violated that we will help in the future.

Debbie Pearce


I first visited Kenya in the summer of 2006. Anne-Marie had been looking for an opportunity to work overseas as a volunteer so I agreed to tag along, not having any idea what would happen!  We travelled to Nakuru and checked into a hotel before visiting a local orphanage.  We were greeted by more than 160 children, all ages.  It was there that I fell in love with a little boy called James.  James has become the face of Play Kenya, an innocent victim of his aunt’s abuse. When I first met him he had a large hole in the back of his head which had been there for a year. Somewhat ironically the wound was in the shape of a heart.  Found in a shed clutching his baby sister, Ruth, James’ open head wound was caused by blows from a spade or similar metal tool.  It was very slow to heal, really needing surgery.  He cannot speak. He is lucky to be alive.
Play Kenya was born out of the need to address emotional trauma through play.





Sadly these children do not have toys but they do need to play.  Given therapeutic play sessions, James has been given the opportunity to explore new textures, sounds and activities otherwise not possible in the confines of a large orphanage.  Now other children are able to enjoy and benefit from people involved with Play Kenya. The children of this orphanage are very special little people.  They are an inspiration to us all in their attitudes to life inside the walls.  They are proud to have a home, work hard and understand the value of education.  They are very special, as are all children.  I loved the time I spent in Nakuru so much that I returned after a few months and then went back in January this year to introduce James to my son Oliver James.  
Play Kenya is the most amazing project – providing filial training to Kenyan employees working in orphanages builds staff self-esteem and team work whilst helping children with the saddest, most horrific stories imaginable.  It will grow to reach more and more children across Kenya and who knows where next.....

Anisha Atieno


Anisha is the ‘woman on the ground’ for Play Kenya. She is involved in the training of orphanages in the Attachment Play Programme, she supervises Asaneth and Gtonga, she attends and arranges meeting with government officials; she supports the local community and often reports back situations where Play Kenya can help an individual, organization or family; she works weekly in the women’s prison; she will drop everything and attend an emergency when needed – and she works Anne-Marie into the ground on her trips over!!!

Play Kenya are proud of the work and the development of Anisha – she embraces the heart of Play Kenya and is well known in the local community for her dedication and hard work. Anisha is instrumental in the running of Play Kenya and we have great plans for her future

 

Anisha has embarked on training as a Play Therapist and is actively involved with child protection in Nakuru. She is well thought of and an active participant in the rights of children.

Sam Thomson


I am a special needs teacher at the Park School in Woking and I got to know about Play Kenya from Anne Marie when she came to work as a play therapist at my school.
In the summer of 2008 I went to Kenya with Anne Marie to see firsthand how the children that Anne Marie spoke about actually lived and if there was anything that I could do to help.

I arrived in Nakuru after a 15 hour journey to find Anne Marie waiting outside the hotel ready to take me to an orphanage! As I walked through the green metal gates I was faced with at least 100 children in a small area with only an ancient metal slide to play with. They came running up with bright smiling faces and filthy rags for clothes.
I spent several days at this orphanage playing with the children, watching them at school and their daily life. Their life is hard but you never hear them complain.
What really bought it home to me was getting friendly with a young boy called Kevin. We were unsure how old he was but he looked around the same age as my son Milo. He appeared a difficult child; he was new to the orphanage and finding his place. But during the time I was there we built a friendship and I could see that he had so much more to offer. He is now supported by Play Kenya and through the work we have done he is showing signs of developing into a well balanced young man.
I am an active member of the Play Kenya committee and will continue to support its work.

Bridget Darwin


I was invited to join Play Kenya a year ago by the founders, Anne-Marie and Debbie.  I was thrilled to be involved in a project that follows an ethos and mission that I believe and support.

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit the orphanages and the children, carers, and staff connected to Play Kenya in Nakuru.   I worked alongside a team of play therapists and learnt the benefits of filial therapy.   During a two week period of observation, training sessions and working alongside the team, I gained a good understanding of the workings of play therapy and filial training. It helps children who have suffered severe emotional and physical abuse in their lives.  It was encouraging and heartening to see how play therapy is being embraced by the carers and staff at the orphanages.




I have a lot of wonderful memories from my visit to beautiful Kenya.  Such memories include sitting underneath a parachute with 40 smiling children
and everyone dancing to Michael Jackson on our last day in Nakuru!  The children I met were truly inspirational!  I’m looking forward to returning very soon!  

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