Barefoot-SI-Park for the RAC is now completed and inaugurated (update below)

by Karola Kostial

As we were constructing our playground in front of the therapy center RAC last spring/summer we knew it was not complete without a SI (Sensoric Integration) park to improve the training of our special children. But we did not have the funds for this project. Luckily the German company RWE is running a social program called the RWE Companius Program, and they donated generously for this purpose and so we were able to plan and complete this SI-Park this summer/fall. The company also donated lightblue T-Shirts and caps for our staff which were brought to Ladakh by Marianne Reissmann, one of our Volunteers, on August 31. In Germany the project was being organised by an employee of RWE, Gerhard Sokola. When I was in Ladakh this summer we discussed the construction of the SI-Park, sought for local advice, determined where the path was supposed to be: close to the playground. The project is still under construction, the inauguration is planned for the beginning of October. Our physiotherapist Lisa Reuer took over the project management and sent us this report today:

Report from Lisa Reuer with pictures, 25.09.2010

After we considered ideas and possibilities of how this SI-Park was supposed to look and which materials were necessary, we contacted Tashi, a friend of Karola and Mr. David, and asked him to help, he agreed with a glad heart, because he likes to help with the special children.

The wood needs to be peeled and sanded, a employee of Thasi helps with this chore

Tashi helped us to order the logs according to our plans and worked out a reasonable price for us. Since the logs were delivered with the bark, we had to peel it and sand it down. One of Tashis employees helped us with this chore. He also helped with cutting the wood, constructing the ladder and pinning it to the ground. Everybody chipped in and helped, even Mr. David had fun with the work. The "Ladder" is 10 meters long and contains 10 compartement which we are filling with different materials.

Even Mr. David, the president of REWA is enjoying this work

Kerstin fills up sand

Lisa and Thugay are working hand in hand

Dann konnte die Grundierung aufgetragen werden. Nach einem Tag Trocknen verpassten wir dem Holz nun den letzten Anstrich. Da der Barfusspfad farblich zum Spielplatz passen sollte, benutzten wir die gleichen Farben Gelb, Blau, Rot und Grün.

 

Very colourful

We collected smaller and bigger gravel down by the river, cut up rubber foam, cut up car tires, bought one square meter of an artificial gras carpet and much more and filled all the ten sections with different SI-materials.

Tashi promised to build the missing ramp for the children to walk up and down to train balance. For a walk through we used braided willow branches which we set in the ground with concrete.

October 1st is supposed to be the inauguration of the SI-Park. We want to invite the children, their parents and families, all the staff, Mr. David, Tashi and the local newspaper. We will have a little celebration with the theme "circus".

Inauguration Pictures 01-10-2010

Big tent to protect from the sun

children are trying the S.I. park and the clown is making fun

soap bubbles make everybody laugh

the entire team plus parents and children

the clown was the obvious attraction

concerntrated work...