Video of Empower Playground in Ghana

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Crbr8s8tM  Last summer we held a Hands for H.O.P.E. Golf-Tournament and had a display at the Ogden Farmer's Market  to raise the money to help build a Merry-Go-Round.  Well, not only did they build the playground but they also raised an incredible swing.  This swing also generates electricity for many lanterns to light up remote areas of Ghana, as does the Merry-Go-Round.  It is so exciting to see what our efforts were able to produce.

Once you see this video, you will agree that the hours that have been volunteered from so many  . . . . teachers and staff from Roy, Utah and  our families, and to all who supported us at the golf tournament.   Just to see the faces of the children as they fly on this swing,  What joy!!

It has been a long time since I have updated this blog.  Sorry about that!!  I have had a lot of things I wanted to post on here, but haven't sat down long enough to do it. 
They letter below is from Calene Lucero, who bravely went to Ghana  - alone - during the Thanksgiving holiday. Her goal, our goal, was to get the library up and running.  She sent this letter at the end of her visit. 

From Calene:

Hello from Bloody Hot Africa,
We have plenty to celebrate. I have the key to the library and plan on turning over the operation of it to the head teacher at the Gorm school. We have had all of the meetings with the electric company and water people. They dug up the road today to put in the water connection to the library. We bought and delivered all of the bikes and everyone in Ghana is joyous.

It has been a busy week but very satisfying and lots has been taken care of. I hope we can get out to see the kids at Pram Pram tomorrow to give them their backpacks and stuff Steph made for them.


Life is good here in Ghana. I am not sure if I will write again because the internet is so frustrating. You have no idea how slow it is. If you want to write do so, but I will see you on Monday. Have a great weekend.

Talk to you soon. Calene

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."

Building Playground in Ada, Ghana!!

Just recieved this letter this morning from Ben Markham, president of Empower Playground in Provo, Ut.  He is currently in Accra, Ghana.  As a reminder - the golf tournament we did in August at the Eagle Lake in Roy.  We were able to raise the money to build a playground that generates electricity. 

Here is the letter:

Dear Susan,
Just wanted to let you know that the MGR (playground) and glider swing are operating
on Pediatorkope Island, thanks to your hard work. Alan Riser has been
there for two days with a crew of 3 from our shop here and many, many
volunteer labors including the chief. Getting one ton of equipment to
the island on big canoes was not easy--but Alan likes tough problems. I
am in Accra doing admin stuff, but I visited all 5 island schools last
week. They are perfect for the EPI system.

The chief has hung out with Alan for two days--leaving only briefly to
bless the bodies at 3 funerals this morning. The chief took the first
ride on the swing and loved it--he is very interested in the technology.

We will get pictures to you soon, but please plan a long visit to the
school when you (some of you) are here.

Regards,
Ben

Saturday Night Dinner and Auction - A Success!!

Saturday night's Spaghetti Dinner and Auction was a success. We had a wonderful turnout and we want to thank all of you who supported this effort. We gave away two new bicycles for our raffle. The winners were Tom and Cindy Johnson and Jeanne Atkinson. We surpassed the amount we had set as our goal. Many thanks to Calene Lucero for her heading this up and putting it together. Stephanie Osguthorpe and her entire family, Calene's family and especially the youth from St. Mary's Church. We appreciate all of the help and the donations. Thanks to all of you!!!

Spaghetti Dinner and Auction - Make A Difference Day!!