Sports Update

The big soccer field at Chumbageni Primary School is usually empty during the school day (with the exception of the occasional grazing goat).

However, after last Friday when I took the Kindergarten class out to run some soccer drills, every other class has caught on and is constantly asking me to bring them soccer balls and set up inter-grade matches. The playground has come alive at recess, and students who usually go home during the break are now staying at school.

So far, the kids have complained that there are too many people on the field, and that six soccer balls aren’t enough (we have recently been converting basketballs to compensate). To address their concerns, the teachers are considering adjusting the school schedule to allow grades 4 through 7 to come play soccer for 40 minutes once a week on top of their daily recess time.

I am also working to get a basketball program up and running….or at least to obtain the resources necessary to start a program. Today I went with the school head, Halifa, to a local welder and asked them to make us two basketball hoops. For the equivalent of about $8, they have agreed to make us two rings, which we will pick up tomorrow and hang in the new Kindergarten classroom that is under construction. I’m not quite sure how it will all turn out….but we’re on a mission to get a mini-court up and running soon!