Participants getting ready to work on their dribbling skills at St. Leo Primary School in Molweni.
Things are busy here at PPI-SA, in all aspects of the organization! The two major things going on this week in the world that is PeacePlayers International – South Africa are:
1. Primary School and Leadership Development Program (LDP) Try-outs
Our entire staff of 42 has been out and about in the Durban Summer heat during the past week hosting tryouts at our 32 Primary Schools and 4 LDP communities. Participants are anxious for the actual program to begin next week and all are eager to be a part of the PPI-SA program. At some primary schools, like St. Leo Primary in Molweni and Carrington Primary in the City, over 60 kids turned up for tryouts! Unfortunately, due to current resource limitations, we are only able to field one boys and one girls Primary School team at each of our partner primary schools. In the past, each school had two boys’ teams and two girls’ teams (one for Grades 6 and one for 7).
Kristin going to the hoop during a game while playing for Keene State University.
2. The Arrival of new PPI-SA Fellow Kristin Degou
After a 2-day orientation in Washington DC, Kristin departed the States for her 22 hours of flight time to Durban, South Africa. The Washington DC orientation included an Anatomy of Peace workshop held on Friday, in which Kristin had the opportunity to learn the foundation of PPI’s peacebuilding curriculum and interact with other organizations in attendance, including Partners of the Americas, IREX and USAID. Kristin comes to Durban at just the right time, as our program activity starts next week. After having our first staff meeting this morning, Kristin’s very excited to get out “In the Field” to work with PPI-SA staff and participants. Check back next Tuesday for a personal update from Kristin about her first week in South Africa!
Many more exciting blog posts will follow over the coming weeks and months, including contributions from Kristin bi-weekly. Make sure to continue checking this space!
