BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Mulch is being laid down at the International Center of Kentucky, a nonprofit that helps refugees integrate into new lives in Kentucky.

What You Need To Know

  • A grant from home improvement giant, Lowe's, is providing a playground for the International Center of Kentucky

  • The center helps refugees assimilate to life in Kentucky

  • Leaders with the center believe the playground will help children learn about recess, making life a little easier when they attend school

  • The international Center of Kentucky is hopes to have construction done by Nov. 30

Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the center, said “Today is the first day of building a new playground that will beautify the community, beautifying the community.”

The new playground will be on Kenton Street in Bowling Green.

Warren County Public Schools has over 102 languages spoken in the school district and is home to the first international high school in the state.

According to Albert, the playground will allow over 100 kids from the International Center to adjust to public education because it will make them familiar with recess.

Mbanfu said, “Having a playground here at the center is like a window on what they will see when they go to school. So when they are used to playground here, it will make it easier when they integrate into the school systems.”

The playground happened through a grant provided by Lowe’s. The grant totaled to $71,000. Lowe’s administers 100 of these grants to communities throughout the country.

Steven Wilson, the assistant manager for Lowe’s in Bowling Green, said, “Every store kinda digs in, and gives back to the community. It’s just a beautiful thing that both groups can be aligned on.”

The playground is solely meant for kids with the International Center during from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. However, after work hours and on weekends, any child can play on it.

The International Center of Kentucky hopes to have construction completed by Nov. 30.

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