Playground is a source of happiness for children of Cambodia and Oyen

By Tricia Rolheiser
Principal, Assumption School

In the spring of 2021, after more than five years of dedicated fundraising by Assumption School families and with the help of matching grants, we were thrilled to be on the brink of choosing our new playground. The old playground had seen better days and was in need of some TLC to meet today's safety standards. But with determination and a sprinkle of magic, our Parent Council set out to find the perfect replacement.

After some careful searching, we discovered Playworks, whose mission stole our hearts. They have this amazing knack for breathing new life into old playgrounds like ours. In the fall of 2021, we broke ground and built our playground as Playworks hauled our old, well-loved one away. Through their efforts, our tired playground got a makeover, complete with fresh paint and repairs, ready to spread joy in a whole new community. As Christmas 2023 approached, our old playground set sail for Cambodia, carrying with it the warmth of our community's generosity.

Teaming up with a playground from Edmonton, our refurbished structure was set to bring smiles to over 1000 kids, brightening up communities with limited play opportunities.

The photo above captures the wonderful crew who journeyed to Cambodia to build the playground this February. Despite facing a few bumps along the way (including a delayed shipment), their spirit never waned. With the help of Cambodian volunteers and government support, they made it happen! Now, seeing the joy on the kids' faces as they play day and night, it's clear that all the hard work was worth it.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who pitched in, whether through donations, sweat, or simply believing in the dream. Because of you, our playground is now a source of happiness for both our community and the children of Cambodia.