UNICEF establishes partnership with Sherwin-Williams (W.I.) LTD. for first International Day of Play

KINGSTON, 14 June 2024 - Tuesday June 11 was observed for the first time as the International Day of Play and Sherwin-Williams joined forces with UNICEF to paint a hopscotch court at the Chetolah Mel Nathan Education Centre in West Kingston.

Speaking of the importance of the collaborative effort, Olga Isaza, UNICEF Representative thanked Sherwin-Williams for helping UNICEF to start its observance of the 35th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child beginning with this, the first of 35 hopscotch courts to be provided to schools across the island. 

“Every child loves to play and simple activities like hopscotch, which have been around for centuries are great ways to promote play and provide children with fun and interactive opportunities to develop their physical and cognitive skills,” she explained.

The education centre is in a community which experiences occasional flare ups of violence and Mrs. Tamara Rowe, Principal stressed how important it was to have this hopscotch court at her school. “We operate in a community where play is restricted because of the violence.” She pointed out that once the children leave the school and go home, they are locked inside. “So, it is hard for them to play physically, to go out and to run and to be free and to be children.” More than 240 students will benefit from the hopscotch court at Chetolah.

Sherwin-Williams did not hesitate to throw their support behind the initiative. "We believe that it makes no sense for persons to talk about the challenges in the community unless you are going to be a part of the solution,” Kenneth Richardson, District Manager said. These courts will have a long-lasting impact on children as they will not only encourage learning through play but will reinforce positive values by featuring affirmations such as ‘respect, love, and responsibility’. 

UNICEF’s partnership with Sherwin-Williams is the beginning of ongoing joint efforts to help families and communities find ways to build play into their everyday activities. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Education and Youth and the Early Childhood Commission.

The International Day of Play is a time to celebrate the power of play and to raise awareness about how central play is to every child’s development and well-being. A network of global organisations, play experts and most importantly, children and youth themselves, called on the UN member states to place play once again on the agenda and to support the resolution for an International Day of Play.