Let's Play with Kids Play!

At one point or another in our lives, we create the infamous Bucket List aka The Ultimate To-Do List (of only really, really, cool things).

2x Olympian, Emily Cook on her first adventure with KPI.

Maybe it was written down on a napkin in the wee hours of the morn at a diner after a night of frivolities with your friends.  Perhaps you placed it in a special notebook that you keep in your possession at all times (you never know when you might be able to check one off!).  Or that list might still be fresh in your head, yet you're a wee bit scared of what will happen if you write it down (eek, someone might see it!).  

Leading up to my first volunteer adventure with Kids Play International to Rwanda, I found myself in repeated conversations:  "Oh how cool!  I've always wanted to go to Africa."  "Holy Canoli, your volunteer trip sounds amazing, can you bring me along in your suitcase?"  I was surprised, yet I suppose completely unsurprised at how many people have "Volunteer trip to Africa" on their Bucket List!  

Kids Play Camp in action in Gatagara, Rwanda.

Combining volunteer efforts and travel, or as I like to call it Traveling with a Purpose, is growing in popularity and opportunity.  Yet I think for many (who don't know about KPI!), it can still be a daunting task to find a non-profit organization that can lead you on your oh-so-spectacular adventure.  And just as importantly, that this foundation is something that you continue to be passionate about!  

Thank goodness you don't have to fret about this, as you're already here on KPI's website reading about what a motivating and purposeful program it is!  Phew! 

4x Olympian, Cameron Myler is all smiles here!  

I'll take a guess and a gander that you're still wondering what exactly takes place on these KPI Volunteer Trips, ya?  Let's dive a little deeper into our latest & greatest trip to Rwanda, to get a behind the scenes look at what this program is all about and the impact that it makes!  

Stay tuned for the GREAT KIDS PLAY RECAP!  (cue "The Great Escape" music)

Blog: by Jaime Komer
Photos: Special thanks to Mr. Don Cook!  

Using Sport to Educate and Empower Kids in Africa

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

www.kidsplayintl.org