Excerpt from Alan Riser email: "So we dissembled the swing and loaded it and a mgr on a truck and we were off for Pediatorkope Island. After 2 run- in’s with the police (that is a long story in itself) we arrived on the shore of the Volta River where it enters the Atlantic Ocean. We loaded everything in a long wooden canoe and I told the boys from the shop “jump in and we’ll be off”. WRONG answer, they don’t swim and was going to be no part of that canoe with 2000 pounds of steal on it. I told them to go up river and find another boat and I would see them on the island. One of the young brave warriors decided to come with me so after he said a short prayer we were off.

Pictures of Playground and Glider Swing installed on the island in Ada, Ghana

Received an email today from Janet VanderStappen, who introduced Alan Riser to Empower Playground, Inc and Ben Markham.   They have just accomplished the impossible and what a terrific story it is.  The chief of this island was very interested in the whole project and was excited to be able to ride on it as well. 

Excerpt form Alan's email:  "Every young boy from the Island showed up to help carry the swing and mgr the last 300 yards to the school from the shore. They had brought the equivalent of a wheelbarrow with 4 wheels and we soon had everything set up and working. We put the swing together upside-down then hooked long ropes to it and the whole village pulled on it until we had it upright."