About the Emmanuel Foundation
The Emmanuel Foundation was created to find, recycle and put to use decommissioned playgrounds that have been slated for demolition. These playgrounds are salvaged and re-installed in developing nations where there are unmet needs for play.
The Emmanuel Foundation believes that the life and potential of a child born in one place is just as valuable as that in another, no matter what the financial circumstances might be. We believe that we have abundant opportunity living in a first world country like Canada, and with this opportunity we have the resources to help others out. Both young and old in the needy communities we send playgrounds to, are overjoyed to have safe and fun equipment for their schools, parks or orphanages. When we are building playgrounds in these developing nations, the gratitude that is expressed through the smiles and laughs of the children is more than enough evidence of their appreciation.
Making even a small difference in some countries that aren't as fortunate as ours is something we'd like to share with anyone who has a desire to be involved with our dream.
The Emmanuel Foundation has been involved in international playground builds since 2002. During that time we have had the privilege of installing over 30 playgrounds in many developing countries around the world.
We have built playgrounds in many developing countries, such as Tobago, Belize, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Kenya, Thailand, Mexico, Rwanda and Mozambique. There are plans to build in other countries and to return to some of the countries we’ve already been.
To view the Emmanuel Foundation’s Mission Statement and Core Values, click here.
International Recognition
The Emmanuel Foundation was awarded a World Leisure Innovation Prize in 2006 for “Building Playgrounds in Contexts of Extreme Need”.
The International Adjudication Panel also selected these organizations in 2006:
-
•City of Christchurch, New Zealand for the “Southern Centre Multi Sensory Facility”
-
•City of Townsville, Queensland, Australia for “The Strand ... a People’s Place”
-
•Zhejiang Province, China, Tourism Science Research Institute for “Tourism Planning for Hangzhou Xixi Wetland Comprehensive Conservation Area”
