My name is Leanne, and I have been working as a community Occupational Therapist for a wonderful NPO named The Pebbles Project for the past two years (after coming from private practice) and my heart lies with these children from under-resourced communities who have an excitement for play and for life.
The Valley Is Waiting: A Playground, A Purpose, and the Power of Anticipation
There’s something magical about waiting—when the tools are packed, the plans are drawn, and the countdown begins. In the quiet valley of Hermanus in the Western Cape, nestled among rolling hills and winding paths, a school sits patiently, ready for something wonderful. One week from now, the sounds of laughter, teamwork, and building will echo across the mountains. A playground is coming. And it’s bringing more than just swings and slides.
Right now, the materials are making their way to the site, carefully transported over winding roads. Volunteers are confirming their travel, carving out time and energy, preparing to give their hands and hearts to something that feels bigger than just a project. The children? They’re buzzing. Every recess, every class change, every whisper among friends is a note in the growing song of excitement. They’re imagining the first climb, the first jump, the first shared game in a place made just for them.
But this playground isn’t just for the children.
As we wait, what we feel isn’t just anticipation—it’s unity. Something about this upcoming build is already pulling people together: teachers, students, families, and volunteers from near and far. We’re not only constructing a space for play—we’re building a symbol of what’s possible when a community dreams together.
We believe the impact of this playground will go beyond its structure. It’s going to stretch into the way people relate to one another, how the school feels, how the children see their place in the world. And maybe, just maybe, the people coming to build will leave with more than they expected—new friendships, renewed purpose, or a quiet reminder of the joy that lives in simple things.
The valley is waiting. And we’re almost there.
