Mission To Children arranges for the salvaging and shipping of playground equipment to Belize. Following that Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors travel to Belize to erect the playground equipment at schools and community parks. This program is highly valued by our Rotary partners in Belize and has had very positive impacts within the schools and communities.
Since the Program’s inception in 2009 it has provided great opportunities for multi-club collaboration on international projects. To date eleven Rotary Clubs in our District [Camrose, Dawson Creek, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Edmonton Glenora, Edmonton Riverview, Edmonton South, Grande Prairie, Jasper, Leduc, and Vegreville] have taken on the lead role for these projects with many other Clubs providing financial support and/or volunteers.
This winter, three projects are being carried out under the leadership of the Edmonton Downtown Club, the Strathcona Rotaract Club and the Vegreville Interact Club with additional support being provided by Edmonton Mayfield, Fort McMurray Oil Sands and Wainwright Rotary Clubs. The three lead clubs cobbled together over thirty volunteers (Rotarians, family and friends) to make the trip to Belize to construct the playgrounds under the supervision of certified builders provided by Mission To Children.
In addition, the participating Clubs and several Rotarians, raised $30,000 to cover the cost of sending two shipping containers to Belize loaded with playground equipment, packaged food, sports gear and medical supplies.
Following completion of this year’s final project in late March, the District Playground Committee will commence the planning work for another Playground Program in 2027.
Interested in a working vacation in sunny, warm Belize?? Contact the Chair of the District Playground Committee, Rod Karius (kariusr76@gmail.com). He would be happy to provide your Club with information on how you and your Club can participate in the next playground project.