As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers and activities continue to occur in online spaces, TOY for Inclusion is taking advantage of this movement online to showcase some of the most influential and crucial voices of the TOY for Inclusion project.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve shared updates on the work of partners involved in the project. We’ve also highlighted insights from municipalities about the TOY for Inclusion Play Hubs’ unparalleled importance in communities.

Now, we’re handing the microphone to those who are working in the Play Hubs. Listen to hear what Tatjana and Dana, two Local Action Team (LAT) Coordinators in Latvia, want you to know about their work.

Interview with Dana Didžus

Q: What do you think makes the TOY for Inclusion approach unique or different from other initiatives for young children and their families?  

A: Hello! I believe that the main thing that makes the Play Hubs unique is that the family is here together: not only can children come and play, but they play with their parents.

And yet, as Roma children rarely attend kindergarten, this is a place where they learn a lot of practical skills, watching and learning from each other. From childhood, they learn to share toys, behave politely, put things in their place, and other practical skills as I mentioned before. The fact that families get involved is great. I’m happy that when my parents or grandparents see that I’m playing with kids, they want to get involved too. We also have great and unique moments when we just drink tea together and enjoy different snacks and can discuss different things.

And, of course, it is also unique as this service is free for everyone, as there are very few places where you don’t have to pay for participation. Here is an opportunity to play with quality and expensive toys that the family may not be able to afford.

Q: We know that one of the most important features of the TOY for Inclusion approach is the flexibility, can you explain how your Play Hub adapted during the pandemic?

A: As the Play Hub is visited by people and children of different ages and nationalities, this approach was different for everyone. There were members who wanted to come for individual meetings directly in the Play Hub. There were families I visited with toys in their homes. We also used a lot of telephones and mobile phone applications (Viber, Zoom) to provide support in distance learning and to help with the school tasks.

I think it’s also unique that the Play Hub can provide a variety of services, not just playing or activities, but also professional support, for example, to solve some social issues here at the Play Hub. Of course, we ensured a 2-meter distance during meetings with individual families.

Q: Can you tell us about one reaction, feedback or comment from a family or child attending your Play Hub that had an impact on you personally, or that ‘touched your heart’?

A: I find a very nice comment made by a child that the Play Hub is the only place where he does not know and does not care about where his phone is. He does not look for the phone because he is not using the internet here, and sometimes even forgets the phone –like a child would forget their hat or gloves. Although a telephone is the most necessary thing for children in their daily lives, even at school they use telephones, but here they forget about them.

Also, one mother told us that the Play Hub is like a return to childhood. Because even if a game seems very childish, like games where rules are made up as they play along, the parents get very involved and play with great zeal, like returning to their own childhood.

Q: What are two things you want policy makers to know about TOY for Inclusion?

A: The primary thing I would emphasize is that families from different social backgrounds come here, thereby, this is a great opportunity for low-income families to play with games they cannot afford, because toys are really very expensive and children also get tired from them quickly. And, also, these various services that can be obtained here at the Play Hub. The Play Hub is the place where the Roma mediator works, dealing with various issues, both educational and social. These would be the main things.

Q: Can you share in a few words what makes you proud to be a Local Action Team coordinator/Play Hub Assistant?

A: I am most proud to have gained the trust of my Play Hub’s members, because in my daily work at school I feel that families have a desire to meet me more, not only at school, but also in the Play Hub.

And I am proud that the Play Hub helps break stereotypes, because people from different cultures are able to learn about one another various activities.

Yes, and I’m also proud to be one team, which is practically confirmed by the games where we are all one team and we play against the game. It unites us as one whole.

Interview with Tatjana Jefstafjeva-Aksjuta

Q: What do you think makes the TOY for Inclusion approach unique or different from other initiatives for young children and their families?

A: I think our Play Hubs are very universal. This is their special feature. It is place for playing. The whole family can play, or just children. You can borrow toys there, or play a part in different events or activities. The Play hub can be used for other local organizations too.

Q: We know that one of the most important features of the TOY for Inclusion approach is the flexibility, can you explain how your Play Hub adapted during the pandemic?

A: During the pandemic, we tried to involve children in the activities on Zoom. It was a successful experience. We continue to provide our services because, although you can’t play at Play Hub now, you can still take toys home. We also actively used Facebook, where we put various interesting tasks and activities to show parents how to play with their children with things they already have at home.

During the school year, we provided individual telephone counseling to children and families, helping with distance learning, doing homework, and solving other issues.

Q: Can you tell us about one reaction, feedback or comment from a family or child attending your Play Hub that had an impact on you personally, or that ‘touched your heart’?

A: This year we had an event dedicated to Father’s Day. And I was really moved by how fathers played with their young children, especially their daughters because there is a great contrast — a big father and a little girl, and how they play.

I saw one special dad, how much he loves his daughter, how he plays with her. It was the first time the father came to our Play Hub, and he was very surprised that there is such a place where the whole family can come and play, and how many toys there are. It was touching for me.

Q: What are two things you want policy makers to know about TOY for Inclusion?

A: The most important thing I would like to say is that Play Hubs are for families. The family is an eternal value. Looking at the Satversme (Constitution) of the Republic of Latvia, it can be seen that the family is considered a basic element of a cohesive society. That’s why it’s so important to think about family because it is in the family and in our Play Hubs that society is formed from an early age. This is the most important thing I would like to emphasize.

Q: Can you share in a few words what makes you proud to be a Local Action Team coordinator/Play Hub Assistant?

A: I have always liked to play board games, since I was a child, and invent my own games. Now I have the opportunity to teach other children and families to play some games. I teach them how to play board games —  I teach them what the game is, help them work together, communicate and cooperate, and teach children to lose too, because that too is very important. 

Some children do not know how to play at all. When they succeed, when they roll the dice and move the required number of squares,  I see the shine in their eyes – ‘yes, I succeeded!’ I know how to do it and how to use this algorithm in other similar games too. They invite their friends and play together! I’m glad I’ve taught them that they can build a team and play games together, here and now, rather than computer games alone.

Thank you for sharing your perspective, Tatjana and Dana! These interviews were conducted by Kristine Liepina of the Center for Education Initiatives.