Power Up Playground

I just read about this and was really touched.  After spending a night grumbling about silly things, it's nice to put things in perspective.

An LDS missionary noticed that an elementary school in Ghana had no playground equipment or electricity (probably one of many).  A group of BYU students installed a merry-go-round at the school that will generate power for the school whenever it is used.   

This project must have been beneficial to so many...  

1. Obviously the Ghana kids get some great play time and light in their classrooms.  Education can change their lives.  
2. In a small village a change like this can benefit the entire village: parents, teachers, leaders. 
3. The senior BYU technology students gained experience and life lessons.  They had to create a useful, efficient piece of equipment but still disguise it as a toy the kids would want to play with.  They also had to use materials available to the Ghana residents, which probably set up huge hurdles to jump.  What an amazing system that allowed these students to fly to Ghana, work in the local shops amongst the villagers, and see their plan brought to life. 
   
4. Empower Playgrounds, Inc. now has publicity and support to continue the effort with more merry-go-rounds, electricity-generating zip-lines, and maybe even swings!
5. I might as well add that projects like this help others understand the values and mission statements of the Church and BYU.  Sharing the gospel happens in many different forms.

Here's a great little video clip.

Now the entire village is probably saying, "Play kids, play!"