Friday, October 28, 2011

Three Days that seem like it could be be twelve

I have three days of activities to catch up on but it feels like it has been close to two weeks of experiences.

Tuesday October 25
It was a long day and so much was accomplished.  We started the day by visiting the Banconi Community Centre - this is a place that I had heard of from my colleague, Jules, who visited Mali last year.  In this community the children literally moved mountains to have the opportunity to play!  

Children playing a game that involved HIV and AIDS trivia

It was as incredible as I had hoped.  The community school activities were high quality but what was special was sharing with them the posters for the Move Mountains fundraising campaign that is being launched in schools. (see video here).

The Director of the Community Centre

From Banconi we headed to the office for a meeting with partners.  It was good to hear from all of the groups hat Right To Play Mali is working with.  The biggest challenge stated was that we are not in enough places - there is a strong belief and desire for the programs to grow.
In the afternoon we went to a training of new volunteers on out program on HIV and AIDS.  The group was very participatory.  It was just like any ther training that I have seen with flip chart paper coverin the walls and energizes throughout!

Future Right To Play coaches

Then we went to visit a centre for very young mothers.  It is an organization that we have partnered with to increase awareness in villages and communities outside of Bamako.  For the most part we work to build confidence and leadership in the girls so they don't run away to Bamako and put themselves into vulnerable situations.
We were back at the hotel shortly after 6 with time for a group drink before freshening up and heading for dinner.

Wednesday October 26
As noted in a previous blog I did manage to get up early and run!  I was pretty proud of myself and had time to nap en route to Kelaya.  It was about a two hour ride and then we arrived to meet the mayor.  
We then drove to Ouroun to meet the youth.  There we were greeted by a sight that I know my words cannot do justice - all of the children in the school were lined up, girls on one side and boys on the other.  The tunnel of children went on forever and they chanted Right To Play, Right To Play.  I am sure I am not the only one in the group that had tears in my eyes.  



We then had a brief meeting with parents and community leaders before meeting the youth.  They were very honest and open with us about the challenges they face and the opportunity that the Youth Initiative gives them.  One young man explained that he could never write even a single letter before this!  We returned to the parents and they too expressed the importance of the program.  

Clara speaking to the youth

In the afternoon we had the opportunity to be part of a global dignity play day.  We participated in games and then watched a football match - not a normal one - but one when the men did not have full use of their legs so played with their hands.  A truly incredible sight.


A celebration!


Thursday October 27
No opportunity to run this morning!  We spent he night in Bougoni and met for an early breakfast before heading to the office to meet with the team.  (I saw and email from my running club and I am pretty sure today's group run involved the hill on PoplarPlains - I need some more time to work myself up to that!). After the meeting we headed to one of he villages for a morning of health information.  We were greeted again by hundreds if children who stayed for a game and then headed back to school.  

Greeted by the "love clap"


Right To Play Mali PM Amadou surrounded by children

The women in the village were being taught lessons about proper nutrition for small children.  While this was taking place we went for a tour of the village water sources.  Life there is so different than anything you cold imagine.  The village has 5 water pumps but regularly two to three don't work so they have to get water from the wells.  Right To Play works in the community using games about proper water sanitation and he importance of boiling the water before using it.


When we returned to the activities a group of mothers played a game - this was something that I was so pleased to see.  They played a malaria game and in he RCA discussion after the game there were mosquito nest for three people that answered questions correctly.  They do his often as a way to get nets int the community.  There was also a registration for vaccinations that will be taking place tomorrow and then the women got some food for their small children before leaving.




We were all hungry and headed back to the office for lunch with the Bougoni Mayor....a very funny man who started off our meal by explaining that he was Muslim and could have man wives!  After a great meal Adam and Clara both spoke to the office - they are both so incredible in their presenting and provided so much inspiration for the staff by sharing their stories.
At three it was off to another school for an afternoon of play. 

warming up with a bit of knee tag

It was sooo hot our but amazing to play.  I spent part of the visit trying to get good video footage of Adam and Clara playing (which I hope I did) and then I find a group to join.  Most of the children I played with were four to six years of age.  I had started by just sitting with the but decided that playing would be more fun.  With the help of the project coordinator we played mosquito tag - and I was the mosquito!  This game teaches children to recognize the symptoms of malaria, the importance of seeking treatment and how to prevent it.  All of the children were eager to answer questions.

Then we played don't trust your eyes....which I was adapted so we could all sit if the ground as I was too tall to be part of the line standing up.


It was truly a remarkable two days in the villages and the work of Right To Play seems to be so strong.
We are now back in Bamako with one official day of programming  remaining....but still lots more time for running!

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