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This blog will be an account my life working in a Refugee camp in Northern Zambia called Mwange. For the next year, I will be working for Right to Play, a sport and development organization based out of Toronto. What follows will be a life altering experience. Stay tuned....
Monday, April 25, 2005
April 15th
It was certificate distribution day for the Level 2 coaches who had completed their training and practicals over the past couple of months. It was nice to see the results of our work through the worksheets that we require that the coaches give back to us, which documents the games and sports that they have been playing with the kids.
We noticed that one of the women that was supposed to be at the ceremony was absent, and someone informed us that she was sick. The lady's name is Mama Nsango, and we decided to go over to her house to present her certificate to her. It was nice to see how she is living, but sad that she is sick (she is also pregnant, which is a little worrisome…). Again, there were kids everywhere as we took a couple of pictures with her and congratulated her. The people are really happy to receive their certificates as it gains them respect in the community and allows them to add to their career goals.
Next, I was off to repair the basketball rims at the secondary school. First we went to the town carpenter, who I will get to know really well, and picked up the new backboard. Then, Peter and I climbed up on top of our truck and got a couple of kids to hold up the rim while we hammered it in. Again, the people of the camp crowded around to see what we were doing, and a big cheer went up when we finally succeeded! Amidst all the poverty and hardship, these people still find a way to celebrate every day of life…
