Every year in Australia thousands of unwanted playgrounds are sent to landfill. Our Rotary Overseas Relocated Playgrounds project (RORP) aims to collect these playgrounds and send them to give the joy of play to children in communities in developing nations.
In November 2023 we harvested the 30th playground in South Australia to be relocated to communities in developing nations where children have never seen a playground, let alone play on one. What we take for granted in Australia, brings untold joy to these communities.
In September, the first container of playgrounds from South Australia arrived in Ulaanbataar, the capital city of Mongolia, where on the outskirts thousands of people scavenge for a living on a rubbish heap. Now, thanks to RORP, working with the Rotary Clubs of Murray Bridge and Mobilong, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Gerege and the Veloo Foundation in Mongolia, the children who live on "the heap" will experience the joy of a playground. And right now, we are preparing another container of playgrounds for schools in the Ermera province of Timor Leste. You can see the joy created in Mongolia here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuSDLPRuUUk
The playgrounds are donated to the project by Councils which are replacing them as part of their required maintenance schedule. Most of these playgrounds are still safe and in good condition, but the strict standards in Australia mean they have to be replaced just because they have reached a certain age.
To find out about being a part of the project contact Peter Baur, the Chair of RORP SA on 0459 516 005 or rorpsa@gmx.com
