“A child’s greatest achievements are possible in play, achievements that tomorrow will become her basic level of real action.” - Lev Vygotsky, Russian Psychologist, 1896 -1934
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| Image Source: dnamodels.com |
In 2004, Russian model Natalia Vodianova set up the Naked Heart Foundation. Spurred into action by the Beslan tragedy, Natalia founded the charity with the mission of creating modern play parks in urban areas of Russia. These play parks were aimed to help the young survivors of the tragedy find healing. Moreover, they were aimed to help the underprivileged children of Russia in finding their creativity and in safeguarding themselves from the devastating consequences of being deprived of such a basic necessity. In the words of the American psychologist Stuart Brown, “play allows us to develop alternatives to violence and despair.” It is through play that children learn to engage in the world around them at an early age and become more confident and resilient.
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| Image Source: nataliavodianova-fan02.blogspot.com |
The first park built by the Naked Heart Foundation was in Nizhny Novgorod in 2006. Although the first park was not erected in Beslan because Natalia was not able to make contact with the Beslan authorities after the tragedy, she and the Naked Heart finally delivered their promise of escape from misfortune in 2009. Three years after the first park, Naked Heart has already constructed 40 play parks in various Russian cities including Beslan. And to date, it has accomplished 90 accessible playgrounds in 68 cities and towns across Russia.
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| Image Source: nakedheart.org |
Naked Heart is still 410 short of its target of building 500 parks. But together with the support of businesswoman Silvana Armani and businessman Alex von Furstenberg, the organization can be assured that 410 parks is not hard to achieve.
More on philanthropy and the cause for children in this blog.
