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A Playground for Vári

Anniversary project for the Transcarpathia Benefit Society

View from the Vári church steeple
School on the right, most of the space for the planned playground on the left

For over ten years now our organization has been supporting people in Transcarpathia, in southwestern Ukraine. In this anniversary year, we now want to take on a very special project. At the initiative of local pastor Sándor Zán and his parish, a large public playground for children is to be built. The space for this is located right in the heart of the village---church, rectory and school and only a stone’s throw away.

Even the mayor of Vári approves of this project and supports it; however his capabilities, especially financial, are extremely limited. Therefore we want to help in a big way, so the playground will be a real attraction for children. At the present time the space involved leaves a rather chaotic impression. The surrounding fence has been repaired or restored. The future of a Soviet-era monument is still unclear in the mind of the villagers. There has been a provision made for it in the planning stages, just in case. We are also considering the possibility that village authorities will decide to make changes.

The space of about 700 square meters is to become an area used by younger and older children. For the “older” ones, we are planning a wall for climbing, a soccer area, a 4 meter high swing set as well as a secure area which can be used for table tennis, trampoline, unicycling or similar activities. The smaller children are guaranteed to enjoy a miniature ship with a sliding board, a hill with integrated tunnels and slides, and naturally a big sandbox. Thanks to generous donations from Thuringia State in Germany we have acquired two statues on springs and brought them to Ukraine. These will surely become part of the attractive items on the new playground.

The layout of the playground will also include lighting, benches, a terrace with a roof, and plantings on the property, including a hedge on the side facing the street. Of course these are a lot of plans, but we are hoping and trusting that people in Germany and elsewhere will support us as they often have, and will show they have a heart for children in this poor region.

It would be great if you also would become enthusiastic about this project. We ask for donations to be sent to

Account no.: 381 20 10 908
At the bank Sparkasse Vogtland (routing code 870 58 000).
Key word: Playground

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