ABOUT
Out of the Box is a fresh and innovative approach to developing and facilitating children, youth and community oriented spaces in urban and challenging environments in Ethiopia.
Working with children, communities, resident associations, architecture students and small scale businesses Out of the Box aims to build adventure playgrounds, art wall installations, permaculture gardens, social space and multipurpose community centres: inclusive of all ages, genders and abilities.
At its core Out of the Box aims to facilitate active community participation and engagement, whilst promoting the importance of play, cultural dialogue and exchange, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to PLAY, LEARN and SOCIALISE in their immediate community.
PLAY
LEARN
SOCIALISE
AIMS
BUILD
INSPIRE
ENABLE
Adventure playgrounds, art walls, permaculture gardens, social space and community centres: inclusive of all ages, genders and abilities
Creative and dynamic partnerships between individuals, communities and organisations in the Addis Ababa and the UK
Creative design from children, communities, Ethiopian architecture students & experts in bamboo & locally sourced/recycled materials
EMPOWER
PROMOTE
CELEBRATE
Children, communities, Resident Associations, students and small scale businesses in the design, construction and long term maintenance of the sites
The importance of investing in play, early childhood learning and the provision of youth, community and safe/social spaces in urban and challenging environments
The efforts of communities and children and Ethiopian culture through opening events and fundraising activities in Ethiopia and the UK
GET IN TOUCH
West End House
33 Lower Richmond Road
London
SW14 7EZ
sally@outoftheboxpartnerships.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 8878 8940
MEET THE TEAM
CEO and Founder
OTB Architect
OTB Architect
OTB Project Manager
OTB Project Manager
OTB Operations Manager
OTB Creative Director
OTB Designers, Builders and Champions
MEET THE TEAM
CEO and Founder - Sally grew up in Manchester but now spends her time between London and Ethiopia. A social development practitioner, Sally has worked for a number of organisation including Oshun Partnership, DFID and the Ethiopian NGO CHADET. She hold a BA in Social Anthropology and Development Studies from SOAS and a MSc in Social Development Practice from the Development Planning Unit at UCL. In 2013 Sally lived in Balderas Condominium where the idea for OTB was born...
OTB Project Manager - Rahel was raised in London but spent the first year of her life in Addis, and again when she was 10 years old. Her father is Ethiopian and mother is from the UK. Rahel speaks fluent amharic and spent 4 months helping to oversee the construction of the first ever adventure playground in Ethiopian at Balderas Condomium. In 2015 she completed her A-Levels in Geography, Psychology and English Literature and also spent 4 months volunteering in Nicaragua.
OTB Architect - Regbe was born in Addis Ababa and in 2015 received her bachelor degree in architecture from the Ethiopian Institute of Architecture Building and Construction (EiABC) in Addis Ababa. During her study, she participated in different research initiatives including; Sustainable Emerging City Unit (SECU) and Sustainable Incremental Construction Unit (SICU). Regbe now works at Sileshi architects and consulting engineers as well as being a lead OTB architect.
OTB Architect - Estifanos was born, raised and played in Addis Ababa. He gained his bachelor degree in Architecture from EiABC. Estifanos has worked on different socially responsible projects to address challenges and opportunities across Ethiopia, some of which has won local and international recognition and awards. Currently Estifanos is looking forward to perusing his career as an architect and playing his part in creating a better socially and spatially just environment for society.
OTB Operations Manager - Mita is originally from Arba Minch, a town in the South of Ethiopia. She holds a BA in Physics from Addis Ababa University and currently works as a primary school teacher - specialising in early years education as well as science. Mita has been involved with OTB project from the very start. She is passionate about children's learning environments and ensuring they have a safe and stimulating space to play and learn.
Creative Director
OTB believes that children and young people living in a community should be involved in the design and build process of a new play space. OTB conducts children’s design workshops to gather their input and encourages children and young people of all ages, abilities and genders to participate building play equipment, painting art walls, planting gardens and organising the opening ceremony!
OTB is very grateful for the support, help and input we have from students and staff at the EiABC and Addis based volunteers. Such valuable people kindly provide us with technical assistance and advice as well as lending us a hand in building, planting, painting and celebrating with us once we have completed a project!