About the Project

In South Africa, Common Goal, the LEGO Foundation, and Safe Hub Global are working together to empower children through the transformative potential of play and the unifying power of football. At the core of this partnership is the LEGO Foundation’s Learning through Play methodology, which guides every element of the programme. Rooted in global evidence and grounded in local realities, this approach ensures that children engage in experiences that are joyful, actively engaging, socially interactive, meaningful, and iterative, supporting holistic development from early childhood through adolescence.

This pilot initially focuses on ten Safe Hubs in communities across South Africa such as Gugulethu, Louwsburg, Khayelitsha and Alexandra. These hubs are more than physical spaces. They are dynamic ecosystems where children, caregivers, educators, and local partners come together to create safe, inclusive, and playful environments. By combining football, life skills and values-based structure with hands-on learning activities from the LEGO Playbox, the programme offers children opportunities to grow emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively.

Central to the initiative is close cooperation with early childhood development (ECD) centres and primary schools. These partnerships help align play-based programming with the national curriculum and extend the reach of playful learning into formal education settings. Educators receive training on integrating the LEGO Playbox into daily routines, reinforcing classroom goals while promoting creativity, collaboration, and resilience. Primary schools are also blending sport and learning in ways that support school readiness and social cohesion.

Families are recognised as a vital part of each child’s learning journey. The programme includes a caregiver support and development component, offering play-based workshops, simple home learning strategies, and opportunities for parents and caregivers to engage meaningfully with their children. These activities strengthen the bond between home and school, empower adults with practical tools, and reinforce the importance of play as a developmental necessity.

Together, these efforts are part of a broader ‘Play, Learn, and Thrive’ vision. The initiative seeks to transform how communities in South Africa view education and childhood development by placing play at the center of every child’s experience. It is not just about reaching children—it is about creating long-term, sustainable systems that value play as a fundamental right and powerful driver of growth and equity.


How It Works

This programme uses the LEGO Foundation’s Learning through Play methodology to support children’s development through joyful, hands-on experiences that build life skills and resilience. By connecting Safe Hubs, ECD centres, schools, and homes, it creates a consistent and supportive ecosystem for learning. Local communities lead the process, ensuring that play is not only accessible, but embedded in everyday life.

Learn More

AMANDLA Safe Hub
The LEGO Foundation
Care for Education
Clowns Without Borders