jcooper   about 19 hours later

Hi Lynn,

KaBOOM! recently released a comprehensive guidelines for eco-friendly service projects that may be of use to you.

When it comes to building internationally, we've had a few people do it before. Right now, there is a project called Playgrounds Of Peace Nepal based out of Kathmandu. My suggestion would be to join their project so you can keep up to date with the developments and challenges they are experiencing. Plus, you can always use the Discussions area in the project to get advice and support.

There have been a growing number of people who want to build internationally. Perhaps we'll start a new group for international builders...

jackson_c   3 days later

Hi Lynn, Although I don't personally have any specific experience working on playground builds abroad, I do have a few ideas for you. Many manufacturers sell to non-profits that are building abroad. One idea might be to give the manufacturer a call and see if there is someone that you might be able to talk to that sells to groups like this. Or check out their websites to see if you can find links to projects happening abroad. Two organizations that I know Playworld Systems works with are Amassadors for Children www.ambassadorsforchildren.org (their Play it Forward project that finished up in Malawi in July) and Hope for Haiti (www.hopeforhaiti.com). Another great story that recently happened was a playground overhaul in Soweto (the largest slum in South Africa) near Johannesburg. Here is the article that was featured about the build in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/01/AR2009020101962.html . I hope these can give you a little inspiration or insight. Please let us know how the project is going and what best practices or tips you hear along your journey! Can't wait to see how it turns out :)

micdun   9 days later

Hi Lynn Someone you might be able to reach out to for advice or ideas is Alex Griffith who just recently built a playground in Russia! He fundraised a lot on his own, worked out a lot of the logistics, and had an absolute success of a build! You can reach him through his website at http://www.krasplayground.org/?cat=25. He can give you a ton if info on how he did it himself and is just a remarkable guy. Hope you get to Rio, an bring a ton of playspaces with you!

jdemelo   23 days later

Lynn, I think this is a great idea! Are you in Brazil? If not, I would recommend finding a contact that to identify a place where one can be built. I would then set up a committee to get things rolling. I have built a playground in Mexico, and can tell you that things are a bit different logistically, but definitely possible. If I can help, I would be glad to, just let me know!