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Playspace Builder Support Network

Building Playspaces

I need some hel...

I need some help...

StefyPearl

1 posts

Joined
5/29/2007

I need some help...
Posted: 29 May 07 8:03 PM

I guess I should start with a brief diddy on my dilemma.
First off, I recently arrived back in the states from the Dominican Republic. There, I was one of 10 teaching an English camp at an elementary/high school. While we were there for our 10 hour days, I realized that the kids don't have anything during their break sessions that generally last about a half hour. Their "playground" consists of a cement block to stand on in the middle of a giant dirt field. As many know, the Dominican Republic is quite hot, and have been in a severe drought for the past eight months. There is no shade on the playground, and there's nothing for the children to do.

Now that I got that out there..
I have a few questions..

I was wondering if anyone knew how (if possible) to get playground equipment to another country. I realize I'd probably have to ship it there with the fundraising money received for the project, but I wasn't sure if anyone knew of a certain company that actually sends the parts down there to be built, or anything.

I don't know. I'm just starting, and really overwhelmed. I'm only a college senior, but the kids made such an impact on my life, I really want to do something to help.

Any tips on how to get started would be amazing... I could really use the help.
Thank you so much for listening to me ramble on. It may sound like a silly Idea to some (I've already gotten my fair share of "you'll never be able to pull this off", but I'm trying my best) but this really means a lot to me.

snelson

8 posts

Joined
11/8/2006

Re: I need some help...
Posted: 05 Jun 07 7:44 PM

You can TOTALLY pull this off! So many builds are initiated in this very way: someone sees a need for a playground and wants to find a way to build one. Though building on an island presents some challenges not encountered when on a continent, the process of planning and completing a build is very similar.

There are hundreds of companies that build playground equipment across the world and many ship all over the world. There are likely sales representatives on the island who distribute equipment built elsewhere. Equipment manufacturers usually have "locate a rep" functions on their web sites that will allow you to find out who sells and installs the company's equipment in a particular location.

You are on the right track. There's a lot to learn, but KaBOOM! really has a ton of resources to help you to plan this project. Look through the online "do it yourself" resources and ask more questions here. You may want to order a Toolkit from KaBOOM! - it's what I like to call a "project manager in a box." Basically, it's a collection of manuals that shares all that KaBOOM! has learned about planning and building playgrounds with communities. Good luck!

nrosenthal

139 posts

Joined
11/8/2006

Re: I need some help...
Posted: 05 Jul 07 2:48 PM

I agree with Stephanie! This sounds like a fantastic idea that you can definitely make happen. I think that the best way to start would be to use your connections from your time teaching to create a planning committee. You'll need to think of that one person that you could always count on, that was always enthusiastic, and that may have a lot of connections. Most schools have at least one of these people, and I'm sure yours did too! If not, maybe someone in the community that you had an interaction with that seemed really on top of their game. Either way, it's important to find a small group of really committed people on the ground in the Dominican Republic that can rally the troups, find resources, and work with the community. From there, as Stephanie said, it would be REALLY helpful to get the KaBOOM! toolkit. It has TONS of ideas on everything you will need to pull this off. Best of luck, and let us know how it goes! (and if you have more questions of course!)

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