(Another blog by Kari, Dave & Babs' daughter...)
During our time in Liberia with Dad and Mom, a rather exciting project took shape. There had been a need for some play equipment on the site for some time, and having Robert around to help Dad meant it was the perfect time to tackle this project!
Dad and Robert disappeared into Monrovia for a couple days to get supplies and to find an expert welder. Apparently, the guy doing the welding was very motivated because he had the agreed-upon equipment welded in about 24 hours. It wasn't long before this very unwieldy load was headed for the site:
After a couple days of setting the equipment up, a playground took shape.
A play set with slide, swings, climbing wall, and sandbox:
A "big kid" swing set:
A "little kid" swingset and merry-go-round:
Monkey bars:
Dad made sure to test all the equipment to make sure it was safe and sound for the kids. At least, he claimed to be working...
Robert and Dad worked very hard on this playground:
The kids were eager to use the playground. For days, the kids asked Mom and Dad when they could go play on the new equipment. The building of the playground created quite a stir on the site! Finally, it was time for playground's grand opening...
Success!
For most of these children, a playground was a new concept. The idea of a slide, swings, a merry-go-round, and a climbing wall---all new. We had to spend a little time helping the kids learn how to use the equipment! Dad spent a lot of time teaching the older girls how to swing. The idea of pumping your legs so you could move yourself was a new concept!
Some of the kids were quite content to let Mom push them on the merry-go-round:
These two enjoyed a new pint-sized picnic table, built just for them:
The new playground also included a soccer field with real goal posts:
The monkey bars were a new thing, too:
The grand opening of the new playground was a lot of fun. Not sure who slept better that night, though...the kids or the adults?
---Kari
