Shelter from the African Sun!

The new shade netting at Sophie’s Creche, is already making a difference in the children’s and staff's everyday lives.  

Gathered together on blankets, the children can now learn, play, and spend time with  friends while being protected from the intense African sun. This wasn’t always the case. Just beyond the shade, the bright sun is a vivid reminder of why this shade netting project was so important.

Shade netting is a durable, woven canopy stretched high above an outdoor area to provide protection from the strong sun while still allowing fresh air to circulate. Sophie's Creche’s new royal blue shade netting give children the opportunity to be safely outdoors while learning or playing. 

The new shade netting canopy has a 90% shade grade. That means the netting blocks about 90% of the sunlight/visible solar energy used in shade measurement, leaving roughly 10% passing through. That’s why the area underneath the shade netting looks dramatically darker than the brilliant sunshine beyond it.   

The royal blue shade netting may look like a simple addition to the cache, but underneath it is something very important: a protected place for childhood to happen.  

Aid Africa’s Children and donors Bob and Laurel Baraczek helped turn Sophie’s dream into an everyday reality children can enjoy throughout the year.