With formal support from local Shire Councils, Save the Children is deploying Mobile Play Buses to areas affected
by the devastating bushfires, to assist children and their families during the acute phase of the emergency. A Mobile Play Bus was operational today at Wandong Community Centre, where more
than 75 young children and their parents gathered. Chris Strahan, State Executive of Save the Children Victoria, traveled to Wandong for the first day of operation. “Save the Children has been operating the Mobile Play Bus throughout Victoria for a number of years. We decided that this was a valuable way to help in the recovery process for those
families devastated by the bushfires”, she said. The program is designed for children aged 0-6 and provides early childhood play activities as well as support services (including
referral options) for parents. “In the coming days and weeks, we hope to make the Mobile Play Bus available in areas where the need is greatest. Children can spend time
playing together and with their parents or carers, colouring, painting or doing puzzles. All activities that assist in the recovery process and help them achieve some sense of normality,”
Ms. Strahan said. Each Mobile Play Bus will be available Monday to Friday, 10am – 3pm, however this may vary depending on need.
The Mobile Play Bus scheme has
trained staff who are employed directly with Save the Children. All have been police checked and have existing “Working with Children Certificates”.
Oscar plays for the first time in four days
The relief for parents
and primary caregivers was evident immediately as their children gravitated to familiar and safe activities. “We’ve been on the move for 4 days and our grandson hasn’t
played once. He lost all his toys in the fire. This is exactly what he needs,” stated one distraught grandparent. “We’ve lost our house and our lives……this is
the first opportunity he’s had to play……….he’s been acting out, kicking and biting the last few days…. He has no idea why we can’t go home. This gives us
the chance to sort out a few things like money, food for the horses and make a few phone calls.”
For further information contact:
Sharyn Hanly, Media Adviser, Save the Children Australia, Tel: +61 3 9938 2011 or Mob: +61 (0) 437 355 096.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
A child holds a toy as he walks past tents, provided by the Australian Army to shelter victims of the bushfire disaster, at a refuge centre in the town of Yea, ...
Oscar plays for the first time in four days 
