This project will provide a safe playground for resettled refugee children who have recently arrived in Kentucky. We help the children transition to life in America by providing a place to recover from a past of violence and poverty. We plan to create an outdoor environment that enhances learning and is fun for the children.
Children from Somalia, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burma, Afghanistan, and many other countries are arriving in Bowling Green, KY everyday. These children are refugees, fleeing with their families from a life of violence and persecution. Most of these kids have lived their entire lives in a refugee camp. Many of the children have emotional issues or developmental disorders. Our small agency strives to provide the best environment for these children, although we have limited funds.
We help the children transition to life in America. We try to help prepare them for public schools. Play is the best way for young children to learn. Supervised play can also be a method for dealing with past traumas. When they arrive, most of them have never seen a playground, or even toys before. Our children deserve a safe outdoor environment in which they feel free to explore and have fun.
Currently there are approximately 50 children at The International Center daily. As those children transition out to public schools, new children will be arriving. The actual number of children who will benefit by this project will eventually reach the hundreds. Hundreds of children will get to experience joy and fun, all while feeling safe, on one of their first days in America.
