Playground of Hope, a project of Side by Side International, builds playgrounds and community spaces in needy communities throughout Japan.  Using volunteers and inexpensive materials, Playground of Hope is able to build playgrounds at less than half the cost of typical installations.  POH gets residents and community leaders involved in the building of the playgrounds, creating a sense of pride and ownership.  New playgrounds result in a huge increase in the number of children at the park, reducing “screen time” and building physical and social skills for those children.

POH Serving Tohoku Communities

Project Dates: January 2014 to December 2014
Amount: $70,000

This project will help disaster-affected communities rebuild by constructing playgrounds and community spaces in Tohoku.  The funds will provide equipment purchase, safe installation, and logistics.  On a construction day, as many as fifty volunteers from the local community, non-governmental organizations, and supporting corporations help install a playground.