As a 3-time Olympian in Freestyle Skiing/Aerials, I truly understand
the power of sport to make a positive difference in the world. I spent over a
decade competing with the world’s best aerial skiers and was fortunate enough
to stand on the medal podium multiple times. However, even better than winning
those medals was the opportunity that I had every single day to test my limits
– both mental and physical. I learned that the Olympic values of fair play,
teamwork, excellence, respect and friendship were as important off the playing
field as they were on it.
So…no big surprise that when I retired, I wanted to find a
way to keep sport in my life! It wasn’t until after I went to Africa on a
volunteer trip in 2008 that I figured out how…
On that trip to Malawi I had the chance to use sport to
educate kids both on –and off – the field. The kids had almost nothing – many
had no parents, only one set of clothes, and usually not enough to eat. But at heart, they weren’t very different
from you or me: they LOVED to play and were thrilled at the chance to learn new
sports. After that life-changing experience, I knew that I wanted to use sport
to create year-round opportunities for kids in developing countries like Malawi
and Rwanda. So, Kids Play Int’l was
born!
Kids Play
International’s Programs
Kids Play is currently operating three programs in Africa that
support its mission of using sport to educate and empower kids in
developing countries:
1)
LET’S
PLAY! This community-based sports education program provides kids with an
opportunity to play on a year-round basis and teaches important life lessons
through sports. Our initial LET’S PLAY! program was launched in Gatagara,
Rwanda this past summer, and I’m proud to report that the first all-girls
soccer team has been recruited and is competing with other teams in the area!
This first LET’S PLAY! program is a model that will be replicated in other
areas of Rwanda, as well as in other countries.
2)
KIDS
DREAM BIG. In our travels, we’ve discovered that there are many boys and
girls who aren’t able to attend school for financial reasons. Through our KIDS
DREAM BIG scholarship fund, we’re expanding our work with local authorities in Rwanda
to identify and sponsor kids who wouldn’t otherwise have a chance at an
education. Education and sport are both at the core of Kids Play’s mission, so
this pilot program will be replicated in other areas of Rwanda where Kids Play
expands its LET’S PLAY! program.
3) TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE. We also
organize several volunteer trips each year that give individuals the chance to
travel with a purpose. The trips
combine volunteer service with an opportunity to explore a new country
alongside Olympic and elite athletes who lead the trips. This past summer, our
volunteers set up the sports room that now serves as the base for the LET’S
PLAY! program in Gatagara, Rwanda and visited area schools to teach new sports
and life skills to the students. We have 3 great trips to Malawi and Rwanda
lined up for May and June of next year!
Thanks for checking out the first post on our new blog! We’re
always interested in your thoughts, so feel please comment here or send an
email to us at info@kidsplayintl.org.
Wishing you all the best in this holiday season!
Tracy Evans
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