1. How it began
Mala Rohan experienced occupation and constant shelling. Hostilities left streets destroyed and infrastructure damaged. Old playgrounds became unusable, and children lost a safe place to play. Residents wanted to change this and create a supervised space for children’s recreation.
Neighbours formed the “Mala Rohan Community for a Safe Childhood” initiative group. Working with AMI’s professional team gave them a clear route towards recovery.
2. Results
The funding enabled the team to purchase a modern rope play structure. Its robust construction supports safe use by children of different ages. The project directly benefited 280 community residents.
Eighty-nine families gained confidence that their children would have a protected place to play. More than 100 other residents benefited indirectly.
3. Challenges and achievements
Heavy snow and low winter temperatures prevented immediate installation. To meet safety standards, installation was postponed until warmer weather. All play equipment was nevertheless delivered on time and formally transferred to the village council.
A clear division of responsibilities prevented misunderstandings. AMI handled financial matters and documentation, removing residents’ concerns about paperwork.
4. Community impact
The new space will become a gathering place for the village. Adults will have somewhere to meet, talk and exchange news. Parents will be able to support each other while watching their children play safely.
A well-maintained recreation area makes community life more organised and predictable even during war. Working together for children helps restore a sense of normality.
5. The project’s legacy
Residents overcame their hesitation about taking responsibility for grant-funded initiatives. Their experience demonstrated that ordinary people can improve their village and showed the benefits of working as equal partners with professional organisations.
The community now has a cohesive team ready to develop new ideas and carry out larger initiatives to improve local life.
6. Who makes change happen
The project was implemented by the Local Initiatives Agency at residents’ initiative and with local authority support. The mini-grants are part of the project “Strengthening Community Resilience through the Community-Led Initiatives Support Approach”, financed by the Swiss humanitarian organisation HEKS/EPER and coordinated with the Alliance for Public Health.
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