The Television Interview

Here is a link to my first television interview.  I was happy to have the opportunity to get my message out.
http://www.ckwstv.com/2016/11/28/africa-b-ball/

Siaya Region of Kenya: Why Basketball Part 2?

The basketball project that I am working to develop is located in the Siaya district of Nyanza Province, about forty-four kilometers from Kisumu, in western Kenya. This is largely a rural area and it is an area of extreme poverty where residents struggle daily with issues ranging from hunger, malaria, AIDS, water and sanitation issues, fuel shortages, etc.  You may ask, therefore, if there is so much need in the Siaya region, then why am I working so hard to support basketball?  This is a valid question and one that I have given a great degree of thought.  Yet, when people ask me, "Why basketball?", I respond,  "Why not?"

I am not suggesting that basketball development is in any way more important that HIV prevention, malaria prevention, food security, clean water, or any of the other issues that rural Kenyan citizens face daily due largely to the persistence of poverty.  Clearly, it is not the most important issue but I think most would agree that education is, at least, of equal importance to the items above and it has been, in fact, identified as one of the "Big Five' development interventions that could help to reduce poverty in rural areas.  Physical education is an integral component of a well rounded education and as such is important to the health and well being of students.  Basketball and other team sports can be an effective way to teach and instruct students about sport and about important life skills.

Moreover, I am also comforted by the the fact that many of the other issues related to poverty reduction are being addressed by the work of CanAssist African Relief Trust.  CanAssist is doing an excellent job of providing infrastructure support in Africa and I recently witnessed, first hand, the power of positive change to create real and measurable health gains.  For example, the construction of water wells has decreased the prevalence of waterborne illness dramatically and a simple solution, like the paving of classroom floors can dramatically decrease the incidence of jiggers, a debilitating physical health problem caused by a small flea which lives in the soil.

What truly inspires me to stick with this basketball development project is the awareness of the transformational power of organized sports.  Working on a team sport can not only teach teamwork but it also fosters leadership skills, goal setting, resilience, perseverance as well as inspiring hope and joy.  I have witnessed this first hand while watching, both my son, and the students at my school, learn all of the valuable lessons provided by sport.  For example, I have watched my son transform from an eager and energetic boy, to a hard working athlete and now he has emerged as a sports leader and role model for youth.  Sport provided him with opportunities to grow and to develop and refine important leadership skills.  That is the value of my "Basketball Story".  


I also take comfort from the knowledge that I am not alone in this passion.  After all, the President of the Toronto Raptors has created a foundation called, "Giants of Africa" whose mandate is similar to my own.  The mission of "Giants of Africa" is to use basketball as a means to educate and enrich the lives of African youth.  The Giants of Africa foundation provides facilities and gear with the goal of growing the game within Africa.  They put emphasis on hard work and positivity, goals that are inheritently valuable.  Finally, the organization urges the youth of the nation to dream big.  This is what I am trying to do, on a much smaller scale, at the St. Catherine's School in Ramula, Kenya.  

I am fully cognizant of the reality that very, very few kids who play organized sports make it to the big leagues.  I am not looking for the next "Giant of Africa".  I am not looking for the next big NBA star or Division 1 recruit.  What I am looking for is the chance to provide opportunities where they did not exist before.  Arguably, it is true that many committed athletes go on to be leaders in their community and it is that knowledge that keeps me going.  The solutions to poverty reduction will require strong leadership from the citizens themselves.  The students who develop leadership skills on the basketball court will possibly be some of the village leaders in just a few short year.  This is the goal and I believe it is an honourable one.


Finally, I have to admit that I had no idea that when I took a single basketball to the St. Catherine's School that things would develop in this way but in retrospect I should have expected it.  Basketball is a great game and one that the students will be able to play and enjoy for most of their lives.  I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to share my passion for the sport in this way and I thank you for your support and encouragement to help make this happen.  In closing, I must state that the final motivating fact which keeps me going is this.  In response to the question of why develop basketball, my response is this.  If not me, than who?  Perhaps you will join me in this quest.  Together we are stronger!

Yikes, a Television Interview!

Tomorrow morning I will be appearing on CKWS on their live morning show at 7:50 a.m.  They want to hear more about the basketball story and I am happy to oblige (but very nervous).  In anticipation, that some people in the community may be moved by the story and want to help, I have started a GoFundMe page.  If you are able to help, thank you.  You can find more details here:

gofundme.com/developing-basketball-in-kenya

Help them Play!

Why Basketball? Why not?

I have been anticipating the question, "Why basketball?"  My response is simple.  "Why not?"  Basketball is a great sport, relatively easy to learn and to play and it does not require expensive equipment.  It is a physical sport that anyone can play.  And, of course, it is Canada's sport.  It was invented by a Canadian, Dr. James Naismith, in December 1891.  He wanted to develop a game to condition young athletes during the cold winter months when it was not possible to play soccer, baseball and other outdoor sports.  The game began with a soccer style ball that was thrown into peach baskets that were nailed to the lower railings of a gym balcony.  Each time a point was scored the game had to be paused as the ball had to be retrieved from the basket.  Eventually the bottoms of the basket were removed and the format of the game, as we know it, evolved.  Reportedly, the first public basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 11, 1892.

First known North American basketball team.

First known Primary Basketball Team in Ramula, Kenya

Social Justice For All

Today, 4 members of Truedell Public School's Social Justice Club volunteered their time to raise money for basketball in Kenya.  We set up a table in the lobby at TPS and sold beautiful paper bead jewelry made by Ugandan women and assorted crochet items made by Mrs. Grew.  Altogether we raised $247.00 towards the cause of developing basketball in rural Kenya.  This money will be used to help with the St. Catherine's team's tournament expenses and eventually to help build a court.  Many thanks to Gracie, Carys, Faith and Emma for giving so freely of your time.  You have helped to make a positive change in the world!

Truedell Students Care!

Basketballs and Cell Phones

Today I talked to many interested relatives about my project and they were excited to hear my stories and excited for me, as well.  Tonight I picked up 10 basketballs at Canadian Tire that were purchased by the Lakers Basketball organization.  They wanted to make this generous donation to support the teams at rural schools.  I will deflate these balls and take them with me when I return to Kenya in January.

A cart full of dreams!

Next I stopped at the mall to get an old iPhone unlocked and set up on my Share Everything plan.  When I go to Kenya I will get a new SIM card allowing me access to texting and messaging while traveling through rural areas.  This young man, Jeremiah, was very helpful and also very interested in the basketball story.  I shared my business card with him and he promised to follow my blog and the adventure which will unfold soon!

Equity in Sports

Last February when I delivered Impact uniforms and basketballs to three rural schools in Kenya and Uganda I was surprised when time after time the teachers or male leaders of the village called over the boys and handed out the uniforms.  As a former, Status of Women Chairperson, and as the daughter of a strong-willed woman, I was dismayed that the girls were not included.  Each time such action was met by my strong statement that, "Girls can play basketball too!"

Much to my delight, this message was well received at the St. Catherine's school in Ramula, Kenya and in addition to the current boys' team, the teacher/coach at the school, Donald Mark, is committed to developing a girls team too.  He has promised that they will be ready next season and interest amongst the girls is already growing.  This picture of Valary, the team captain is clear evidence that my message was heard.  This is exciting from an equity position but also because it gives girls one more reason to want to be in school.  According to a report by the United Nations Girls' Education Initiative the benefits of keeping girls in school extends beyond personal welfare and development.  Benefits include:

" educated women are more likely to seek medical care for themselves and their families, immunize their children, and provide proper nutrition and sanitation at home. These practices will reduce both child and maternal mortality and ensure healthier and well-nourished families and communities.

Second, educated women are more likely to stay in school longer, which will delay when and how many children they have. It is estimated that one year of female schooling would reduce fertility by ten percent. Because educated women get pregnant later in life, their babies will be healthier, and they will know how to properly care for them.

Third, educated women are more knowledgeable, and therefore, will have a better grasp on their domestic role and share household duties more evenly with their spouse. They will have access to higher-paying jobs, which will impact their families’ finances as well as contribute to their national economy. They are also more likely to participate in political and social decision-making.

Lastly, educated women are less likely to be vulnerable toward sexual abuse or exploitation, which will protect them against sexually-transmitted infections, such as HIV/AIDS.

All of these occurrences are imperative to global development, and they can be accomplished by educating girls.

An educated mother is more likely to have educated children, both boys and girls, which help ensures that universal education and gender equality will continue on through the generations."

Valary says, "Yes, girls can do basketball too!"

ETFO Humanity Fund Connection

In addition to being a grade 4/5 teacher I am also actively involved in our teachers' federation, ETFO.  The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents over 78,000 teachers, occasional teachers and education professionals.  In addition to promoting public education and providing support for members, ETFO has a long-standing tradition of reaching out to the broader community to foster social justice for the citizens of this province and beyond.  Our ETFO Humanity Fund uses money donated by ETFO members to support children and their teachers around the world.  The Stephen Lewis Foundation is the signature charity supported by the fund but the Board of Directors meets twice annually to approve funding for a variety of other organizations such as Save the Children, CanAssist African Relief Trust, the Canadian Red Cross, and Global Medic among others.  Last fall I was appointed to the Board and we are meeting again next week to review 26 recent applications.  It is interesting and rewarding work.

http://www.etfo.ca/advocacyandaction/worldissues/etfohumanityfund/pages/default.aspx

How did I get here?

Here is a bit of a background about what I am trying to do in the Siaya District of the Nyanza Province of Kenya.  I have been working with a number of small rural schools near Ramula and they are located about 44 km from Kisumu, the closest major centre.  I visited Kenya and Uganda in February of 2016.  I was traveling with a local charitable organization called CanAssist.  They provide funding for infrastructure projects such as the construction of schools, water wells, water catchment facilities, fuel efficient wood burning stoves and the like.  Each donation benefits an entire community and CanAssist is making positive change happen.  Furthermore, the work is done locally, which benefits the local economy and provides much needed jobs for local workers.

Water Catchment Facilities donated by CanAssist African Relief Trust

Before I left for the trip I did a fundraiser at my school and using that money I bought school supplies and basketballs for three small schools, including St. Catherine’s School near Ramula.  At St. Catherine’s the sport has taken life and the grade 5/6 boys' team has started to compete through the passion and leadership of their teacher and coach, Mr. Donald Mark. What is astonishing, is that even though the boys had never played the game before, they have now qualified to play in a Championship match in Yala, Kenya on January 14th. I approached my school Board and requested leave to attend. They approved it! I am going to represent Truedell Public School, ETFO Limestone Local, the LDSB, Kingston Impact, Lakers Basketball and others who have helped to make this happen. This is Kingston's team. The hard working students trained with a ball purchased by Truedell. They wear Kingston Impact uniforms donated by our local club team and shoes and socks provided by ETFO Limestone Local. For many of the boys on the team, this is the first pair of shoes that they have worn.  Now, thanks to a generous donation by the Lakers Basketball organization they will have new balls to begin the next season.  They say it takes a village to raise a child and I believe this is true. These boys are learning invaluable lessons which will serve them well for the rest of their lives. Other good news is that I have persuaded the school that girls can play too and they are developing a girls team for next year. ETFO has committed to providing socks and footwear for the girls should they follow through. I know they will.

Truedell Public School Cares!

Shoes from ETFO Limestone Local

Uniforms from Kingston Impact

New Basketballs donated by Lakers Basketball

As good as this story is, the fact remains that in order for the sport to thrive in the area the schools need proper courts.  Recently the St. Catherine’s team walked 50 km to train on a paved court.  At their school they play on a hard-packed dirt surface using a backboard and net attached to a wooden pole.  I would like to start by building paved courts at three or four schools, such that local teams can play competitively on a regular basis.  I would also like to see this program expanded to the whole region, but I am reminded by my African friends to go pole, pole (swahili for slowly, slowly)!

Backboard, rim and net have a new home!

I have established contacts on the ground there and these are people that CanAssist has dealt with for many years.  They are hard working people who take great pride in their schools and they simply want their children to have the best possible opportunities.  I know that you agree with me that basketball is a great sport.  It is fun and relatively inexpensive to play.  It teaches invaluable life lessons and helps athletes to have hope and to be fit and to thrive.  

https://youtu.be/1Mld2R6I-ds

Here is a short promotional video which outlines some of the basic events of this story to this point.  It is quite exciting and in addition to what you see on the video, I have also been in contact with a local university basketball coach about a possible fundraiser and have spoken with Masai Ujiri’s personal assistant, Arsalan Jamil, regarding a possible collaboration with his “Giants of Africa Foundation”.  That last item is a long shot but I was thrilled that he was willing to speak with me and he even requested that I send him further information through email. 

This is a true feel good story at a time when we all need one.  I hope you agree.