Behind the Scenes at Our Stakeholder Gathering – A Room Full of Believers

There’s something special about getting people in a room:

Real people who’ve played the game, funded the work, guided the youth, and helped bring Love Land to life.
On 23 June 2025, that’s exactly what we did.

We hosted the Taboobreaker Stakeholder Gathering at the inspiring Academy of Digital Arts (ADA) in Cape Town.

What unfolded was more than just a meeting; it was a moment of alignment, celebration, and future-shaping energy.

Among the attendees were:

• Educators from LEAP School — including both the current and former principal
• The funding manager from Gender Links
• Youth workers, creatives, and female health pharmacy reps
• Game designers, voice artists, and the founder of ADA, where some of Love Land’s magic was born

It was a diverse mix of people who care deeply about sexual and reproductive health, education, and innovation, and they came with open minds, critical questions, and shared excitement.

We kicked things off with a presentation that took participants behind the scenes of Love Land — from its early beginnings as a board game to the evolution of the mobile app, the tutorial video series, and our most recent impact milestones. It was a moment of reflection, celebration, and honest storytelling about what it really takes to bring Comprehensive Sexuality Education to life in diverse settings.

We kicked things off with a presentation

We took participants behind the scenes of Love Land — from its early beginnings as a board game to the evolution of the mobile app, the tutorial video series, and our most recent impact milestones. It was a moment of reflection, celebration, and honest storytelling about what it really takes to bring Comprehensive Sexuality Education to life in diverse settings.

Then came the highlight of the day: we played the game.

Not a demo. Not a walkthrough. We actually played it — together. Educators, creatives, funders, and health professionals gathered around the board, flipping question cards, debating A or B, and laughing at those unexpected moments that always pop up. It was the perfect reminder of what makes Love Land powerful: it sparks dialogue, it brings people in, and it turns even taboo topics into approachable, shared experiences.

After the game session, we introduced our new lean Train-the-Trainer tutorial video series — created as a flexible alternative to in-person workshops. This pivot was born out of necessity, following a delay in funding, but it turned out to be a win. Participants agreed that an online format would be more accessible, especially for busy educators and youth workers.

A key takeaway from the event was the need for ongoing, easy communication

The kind of communication that doesn’t get lost in inboxes.

So, we proposed something simple and effective: a WhatsApp Business group for facilitators and stakeholders. It was met with nods and immediate enthusiasm.

Sometimes, the most practical tools are the ones people already use every day.