Hear the Silence in the House of Fighting Spirits

In the beginning of 2014, Project Playground and the Swedish organization Ung Cancer started a collaboration and long-term partnership. Even though we are working on different continents with different kinds of people, we still fight for the same cause – to make the world better. We are both dealing with difficult emotions and issues such as isolation, lack of confidence, loneliness and frustration. Emotions have no geographical boundaries and we are all more similar than unsimilar. We are also all individuals, unique and full of great potential. This mutual perspective and mindset was the benchmark of our journey together.

As part of a mentor program for their members, Ung Cancer wanted to take them outside of their comfort zone, make them realize that they are meaningful, important and that they can help other people despite their life situation. In March they came to Project Playground to help, learn and to inspire but mostly, to be inspired.

Many people around the world take the possibility to be by themselves, to reflect and think, for granted. Where Project Playground works, time alone is a luxury. Silence and space by your own is extremely rare in the over populated, crowded and noisy townships. Very few children have a room to themselves where they can rest, reflect and play. Most of them share one room with up to 12 other family members. Many are also forced to take on responsibilities that no child should – taking care of the home, their siblings and sometimes even their own parents. We wanted to create a room at Project Playground where our children and youth are allowed to leave the harsh reality, if just for a short moment. A room where they can read, play, think and develop their creativity. A safe haven.

And so, Ung Cancer built a rehabilitation room, the House of Fighting Spirits, at Project Playground’s yard. It resulted in four days of inspiration, laughs, sharing, tears and hope. In emotional meetings that proved how similar we are and how much we can learn from each other. And of course, a beautiful room where one can hear the sound of peace and silence.