SAND IMAGES ARE SACRED – Normally sand images are not shared, in this case permission has been granted and pseudonyms are used

• Rescued from a child marriage scenario • Placed in care at age 14 as the only Xhosa resident • At first Diamond was isolated, kept to herself and did not engage with the other children and childcare staff

• Diamond arrived at the facility just in time to be part of a group Sandplay series

• The oldest in the group of 9-14 year olds • Initially hesitant and reserved and gradually a change in her demeanour was noticed – with each session she became less aloof and more integrated with the group – eventually claiming her position as group leader • Here are some images from Diamond’s Sandplay series that illustrate her inner process

• After six weeks of participation in Sandplay the results for Diamond were remarkable; both in the sand images & her behaviour, attitude & mood in everyday life

• One of the many noticeable outcomes of the sandplay was that the children generally began to play as they had never played before … & it was,

• Diamond who led the charge demanding to play with the toys that were locked up in the office – furthermore, it was reported that Diamond became integrated with the other children & the staff, playing, helping the little ones with homework, helping the staff with chores, talking & sharing her sand tray stories with the others

• The childcare staff unanimously indicated their delight that Diamond had been given a chance to play! And, that she had embraced that opportunity to play, for the first time in her young life.