Benefits of Sports For All

I am a teacher.  My wonderful students energize me and inspire me.  In the context of developing sports opportunities for students in Africa, we discussed the importance of sports generally.  All students could identify the benefits of sports and physical games and most recognized that they take these opportunities for granted.  They were surprised to hear that there are kids who do not get opportunities to play sports and use sports equipment like they do on a daily basis.  I asked them to write about the benefits of sports and they rose to the challenge.  Here are just a few of their entries and the resulting bulletin board display!

Students are inspired to develop basketball in Africa!

Parker gets it!

Thank you Erin for your thoughtful comments!

Right on Emma!

Fundraiser is a Huge Success!

Well, the results are in.  Chloe Charron and her Impact Basketball team raised $577 for basketball development in Kenya.  Well done Chloe.  You are a Changemaker.  Your hard work will benefit boys and girls at the S. Catherine's School in the Siaya district of Kenya!  Due to your help, and the help of other caring individuals, the students at St. Catherine's can say, "Yes, we can do basketball!"

Student leader supports peers in Africa!

Basketball Updates!

I haven't updated this blog in awhile but that is not to suggest that things are static on the basketball front.  On the contrary, I have continued to make some valuable connections and interest in this story continues to grow.  Here are a few things I can share:

1.  In February I was invited to the Kingston Lakers Basketball League banquet to share the basketball story.  More than 100 young players and their parents were in attendance and interest in the story was evident.
http://lakersbasketballassociation.siplay.com/site/ClientSite/article/2810909

2.  Early in March a grade 7 student at L'Acadie ran a fundraiser at her Impact Basketball tournament.  Money raised ($570 and growing) will be used to help build the first court at St. Catherine's school.  Chloe Charron is making change in the world by taking an interest in the basketball story and by deciding to help make it happen.  Thank you Chloe and thank you to all of the parents and community members who visited her booth and purchased hand-crafted jewelry made by Ugandan women.

Chloe and her friend raise money for basketball support in Kenya.

3.  On the eve of International Women's Day I was delighted to receive photos celebrating St. Catherine's first girls basketball team.  Below are some photos which illustrate that girls can and DO play basketball too!  Thank you to the teachers and coaches at St. Catherine's School for working hard to make this happen.  Your sacrifice will benefit these girls in many, many ways.

St. Catherine's School First Ever Girls Basketball Team

Coach Pamela with the boys' team captain, Steven, and the girls' team captain, Millicent

Yes, we can!

Millicent is a leader in her community!

Steven is a leader too!

Under 8 Girls's team captain, Diana Sherry, is all smiles!

Little Faith will play!

Together We are Stronger!

Back on Television

As promised, the CKWS morning show has invited me back to share the "Disney" ending to the Basketball Story.  I will be appearing with Bill Welychka tomorrow morning at 7:50 am.  I am thrilled to share the magical ending to this inspirational story.  In fact, it is not really the ending.  It is just the beginning of developing basketball in the Siaya District.  Remember, "anything is possible"!

CanAssist Collaboration!

Thank you to all of my donors. I am pleased to announce that I have joined forces with a local charity which does infrastructure support in East Africa. CanAssist African Relief Trust has successfully helped many African communities by funding the construction of schools, water wells, latrines, water catchment facilities, etc. Now, they have agreed to assist me with my plan to construct sports pads/basketball courts, another important infrastructure component. I will drive the fundraising and my donors, who donate to CanAssist, can now qualify for a tax receipt. You can follow the work of CanAssist at: www.canassistafrica.ca

CanAssist Provides Infrastructure Support

Classroom Lessons

After watching the short video clip located in my last blog post the students in my class were asked to write and submit a short summary.  Here are a few summaries.  Students are learning to read, write and demonstrate media awareness!

         Erin writes:

Basketball Story Video

I think that the basketball story was about the St. Catherine’s School learning to play basketball and then playing against other schools.

A girl from the St. Catherine’s school named Catherine gives Truedell their thanks. Truedell played a part in the bball story by raising money to bring a bball to Africa.

The team won all 5 games and they played by working together, being positive, and believing that anything is possible!

Hayden Writes:

My Africa Journal!

The basketball team at St.Catherine`s school in Africa was sponsored by our school Truedell. We raised enough money for the team to get a dirt packed court and hoops and wooden backboards  and a few basketballs. They made it to the finals with many hard fought victories. Catherine, their announcer, was helping her team by cheering them on with little updates. She mentioned our school and Kingston Impact. St.Catherine`s school won the finals in first place and had lots of fun playing basketball. They are going to have a cement court. They will also have a girls team soon so the girls can join in on the fun!

Quinn writes:

The basketball story is about St. Catherine’s School going for gold and having fun when they play basketball.  Truedell Public School got them started playing basketball and now they are really, really, really, happy. Yay, for Truedell Public School and St. Catherine’s School but it’s getting BIGGER.  Soon the team will have a paved basketball court and then they will have a bunch of trophies and have lots and lots of fun too!  Yay for basketball!  WOOHOO!!

Basketball Tournament Recap

Thank you to John Geddes for creating and sharing this great compilation of photos, videos and special moments from the big day.  Watch and enjoy!https://youtu.be/LYFKlY1ZTig