Meeting with Karima Grant, Africa's regional delegate
Karima Grant, the Regional Representative for Africa at the Van Leer Foundation, has been championing initiatives that support early childhood development in African communities since May 2024. In her role, Grant focuses on creating safe, stimulating play environments that encourage active play and balance digital exposure, addressing challenges like motor development in children.
One of her key initiatives is the "Playgrounds for Early Years" project in Addis Ababa. This guidebook aims to improve physical and cognitive development in children by promoting active play environments over sedentary lifestyles.
Grant's work at the Van Leer Foundation involves advocating for programs that promote active play as a critical component for healthy child development in African contexts. She emphasizes the importance of creativity, sustainability, and community in shaping the future of children in Africa.
Before joining the Van Leer Foundation, Grant was the CEO of two social enterprises. She is also the founder of ImagiNation Afrika and Ker Imagination Education, organisations that focus on creating communities conducive to children's growth and development in Africa.
Grant's ideas aim to ensure that children in Africa continue to thrive beyond their initial start in life. She believes that leaders and ecosystems play a crucial role in providing the best possible start for children in Africa.
In a recent conversation, Grant shared her vision for the future of children in Africa, emphasizing the need for bold, thoughtful ideas that involve a comprehensive approach to children's development. Her ideas are characterised by a focus on sustainability, creativity, and the importance of leaders and ecosystems in shaping the future of Africa's children.
References: 1. Van Leer Foundation 2. Playgrounds for Early Years
- Karima Grant's initiatives at the Van Leer Foundation, including the Playgrounds for Early Years project, primarily center around enhancing education and self-development in African communities, striving for a balanced lifestyle that fosters active play over sedentary habits to boost physical and cognitive development in children.
- In her work at the Van Leer Foundation, Grant advocates for programs that emphasize the critical role of active play in children's development, believing that education-and-self-development opportunities should be shaped by principles of creativity, sustainability, and the active involvement of community leaders and ecosystems to ensure the best possible start for African children.
