Leeza Schaul

Namaste! My name is Leeza Schaul and I’m building playgrounds in Nepal for 160 shelter children and orphans of war. Though Nepal is literally half a world away, I first came to this beautiful country to study women’s and children’s rights under a grant which I was awarded in 2008. My interest in Nepal and its people only grew stronger while I worked with the amazing individuals at the Women’s Foundation – a local Nepali non-profit founded in 1988 serving Nepal’s most vulnerable women and children. Their dedication, good hearts and tireless efforts give me daily inspiration that our world can be a better place.

Why playgrounds? Reminiscing to childhood, we are filled with happy-go-lucky memories of swinging too high on swings, underdogs, climbing up the slide, callused monkey bar hands, static electricity in the jungle gym and wood chips in our gym shoes. Looking back it seems the sweet memories of childhood pass too soon, pushing us down a one-way street toward adulthood. However, the children of Nepal don’t harbor these innocent memories. They have never experienced the sheer joy of a playground, scraped their knees, jumped off a swing, played make-believe and all the silly games synonymous with child’s play. The shelter children haven’t had an ideal childhood. Their innocent eyes have witnessed violence, abuse and sometimes the murder of their mother and father. Though they will always carry their past, what is important is their future. A future filled with promise and the opportunity to experience a piece of childhood before it passes them by.

It is true that the basic needs of these children are met – they eat three meals per day and receive an education. Though due to their birthplace – the 12th poorest country in the world – is this all they should ever aspire from life? Should they only ever dare to hope for the bare minimum? To these children the playgrounds are more than a series of slides, a set of swings, see-saws, sand boxes and spring riders. These playgrounds represent their hopes and dreams – packaged as a pretty, primary colored playscape. Together it is within our hands to make the dreams of these Nepali children come true. I believe in the possibility of a better future. Just imagine the world if we could give hope to the next generation of children…

Playground Now! Nepal was born on June 16, 2009. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, but listening to the stories of other inspiring non-profits and projects, we all start somewhere. The problem is that most people never leap; we think we can’t possibly make a change in this world. One of my favorite quotes to this day is by Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Perhaps to some, two playgrounds seem an insignificant change. However, I urge those who feel this doesn’t make a difference to watch our documentaries and read our spotlights and look into the eyes of these 160 Nepali children. These playgrounds will make a world of difference. In their eyes, they are more than just playgrounds. It signifies hope and inspiration. These playgrounds throughout their lifetime will affect far more than 160 children. No matter how hard we try, there will always be victims of violence and orphans of war who need a safe shelter. Though our wish is to end violence, the truth is these playgrounds will serve thousands of children throughout their lifetime. Every child deserves the right to play and together, we truly can make a difference…

I believe giving back is the new black because I chose to stand up and make a difference for a cause in which I strongly believe. When we look back on our lives, we won’t remember our material possessions or the balance of our bank account. We will remember our friendships, our families and those we have touched in our lifetime. Are we leaving the world the same as we found it or are we leaving it a better place? I know at the end of my life I want to look back and say that I did all that I could and it was more than anyone could have imagined. Giving back is the new black because without it, where would our world be?

Most Rewarding moment so far: 160 smiles! Although they are not confined to a specific moment in time, the smiles on the faces of these children are priceless when we talk about the playgrounds. There is something magical about the happiness behind a child’s smile, especially rewarding when it can return to a child after surviving the negative effects of domestic violence and war. To me, giving back seems like a small price to pay for seeing 160 beautiful smiles everyday.

If you would like to learn more about joining Leeza Schaul in her work with PN!N you can visit PN!N or e-mail us at Giving Back and we’ll connect you with them.