Children know how to have fun, no matter what. Almost every parent or doting family friend has given a child a gift, only to have the little tyke spend more time playing with the box than the toy inside. Play is a vital part of human development. Most of us have fond childhood memories playing at recess with friends on our school playgrounds — daring each other to swing higher, jump farther, and spin faster. We take for granted in the United States that we can hop in the car and bring our children to any number of school or neighborhood playgrounds.
ABOVE, a team of Girl Scout volunteers from Virginia led by Linda Stewart (top, pink shirt) installs and paints playground equipment made with recycled materials at EMEVO school. BELOW, Linda’s daughter, Grace Curl, doesn’t mind getting messy.
BELOW, the Shenandoah University team of PT students and professors celebrate a successful installation project with their playground construction partners at Lavanneau school.
This project came about because two physical/occupational therapy professors from Shenandoah University, Michele Wiley and Kerry Mader noticed that kids at CCH’s partner schools lacked engaging activities during recess. Since play is so important and is tied to positive motor, social, and academic outcomes for children CCH wanted to provide the kids with opportunities to play, using materials we could find in Haiti.
Michele and Kerry worked with Dave Pierre, CCH’s Education Liaison, and the principals at CCH’s partner schools to figure out what kinds of play equipment they wanted at their schools and what could be made with inexpensive, recycled materials. They all shared plans for different types of equipment and got the principals’ input on locations and colors. CCH built the first playground at EMEVO in March 2017 with Michele and Kerry’s PT/OT college students and a few neighbors at EMEVO. In March 2018 their team came back and students from Lavanneau school helped along side to build playground equipment there. Michele says, “Seeing the photos is proof of the value of playgrounds at schools!”
Also in March 2018, CCH expanded and painted the playground equipment at EMEVO school. A small but mighty team of volunteers from Linda Stewart’s Girl Scout troop in Virginia completed that project with help from students and CCH staff. For many on this team, it was their first trip to Haiti and they really enjoyed the cross cultural engagement with this service project. Team member, Erin DiBlasi said, “[The staff and translators] were extremely loving and were able to help me grow my understanding of the Creole language.” This brings new meaning to the proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” Sometimes it takes a few villages, languages, and countries. But we’re all one Coalition, working to transform lives in Haiti.
Next up for CCH school playgrounds, the principals are talking with Dave about adding some toy motorcycles, see-saws, and maybe swings to the playgrounds. Stay tuned and check our Facebook page for more updates and cute photos. As you can see, the kids LOVE their new playground and they now have plenty of opportunities to play at recess!
