Staring in February of 2026, we have installed Starlink internet at 3 rural schools; Luta, Pediatorkope, and Alorkpem. This is what sustainable impact looks like. Returning. Supporting. Investing with intention. Measuring results over time. Each of these schools had computer labs installed several years ago, and merry-go-rounds years before that. At first, access to computers […]
Starlink: Bridging the Digital Divide Read More »
The problems facing rural education are not exclusive to Ghana. Many other neighboring countries in West Africa have similar struggles. Several years ago, Empower Playgrounds expanded into Mali and Burkina Faso. This past year (2025), we continued our expansion by entering both Liberia and Sierra Leone. Our amazing team traveled and worked to bring menstrual
Expansion into Sierra Leone & Liberia Read More »
Merry-go-round at Mpaem D/A Basic SchoolThe article above from a local news outlet in Ghana highlights one of our partner schools, Mpaem Junior High School (JHS). Mpaem is a school that has consistently utilized the all of EPI projects. The results of a recent competition indicate that our project is helping to make an impact
Mpaem JHS Wins AU Day Competition Read More »
Many imagine expensive government initiatives to be the key to ending poverty. But studies conducted by UNCESCO have proven that for many impoverished people, literacy is key to reaching a higher standard of living. So what does that mean for African countries, which have some of the highest rates of illiteracy in the world? Especially
Using merry-go-rounds as a means to generate electricity might seem like an odd “spin” on the traditional idea of a carousel, but we like to think of it as only the most recent development in the carousel’s rich history. hough the idea of a circular, spinning ride has existed since the 6th century, the carousel
Celebrate National Merry-Go-Round Day! Read More »
Empower Playgrounds has helped opened educational doors to thousands of students, but along the way we’ve learned that educating students takes more than a great facility. In addition to places to learn and study and a supportive community, teaching also takes a few very basic supplies. One of these supplies is the pencil–so small, inexpensive,
One Million Pencils Read More »
What? Our girls’ scholarship program is one we are so excited about, we can hardly contain it! The idea of this program is to give girls the opportunity to receive a high school education when they otherwise wouldn’t have the ability to. We have awarded 3 girls this scholarship that will cover 3 years of
Girls’ Scholarships Read More »
Empower Playgrounds First Library This summer we installed a pilot library at the school Bahankra. They were thrilled to provide their students with access to fun children’s books as well as reference materials. View fullsize The picture below is of the librarian who had never held a dictionary before. She is very excited to teach
EPI Library Project Read More »
View fullsize After she gathered litter of black plastic bags and used tissue paper into a small pile, she hid her face shyly and ran off to her classroom with bare feet. She joined a crowd of students curiously staring and giggling at the older student as she set up three blue plastic chairs for
View fullsize Written by: Akiko Chau Typical American 17-year olds ride in their parents’ car to school, have a part time job, talk to their girlfriend or boyfriend on the phone and study as hard as what is necessary to get them to a 4-year university. Typical 17-year olds from rural areas of Ghana walk
