Participants learning from PPI-SA coaches at the court launch in November 2012
This week’s blog is written by 12 year veteran of PPI-SA Marketing Manager, Ryan Douwie. Ryan helped PeacePlayers develop from its grassroots beginnings into what the program is today.
During the spring of 2012, part of PPI – SA’s goal was to expand its reach to the greater Durban, targeting the communities of Inanda, Kwa-Mashu and Ntuzuma. Through a fruitful partnership with Sibaya/Afrisun Trust, PPI-SA was introduced to the community of Waterloo.
Students look on at the opening ceremonies of the Waterloo court launch
Waterloo, is a mixed township consisting of mainly local black residents with a splash of Indian and Colored residents, mainly from the neighboring areas of Phoenix and Verulum.  Mr. Dube, headmaster at Waterloo Primary, was extremely receptive about the introduction of PPI – SA to his students, primarily because the children in the community lack positive role models and suffer from social and economic evils plagued by the underprivileged.
The programme in the school was officially launched on November 2nd 2012 with the opening of a new basketball court funded by the Sibaya/Afrisun Trust. To date, PPI – SA is still hosting tryouts for the Waterloo Primary basketball team which will be selected in the coming week. The participants selected will get well rounded basketball, life skills and leadership tuition three times a week, free of charge. The children at the school are very receptive to the programme and eager to learn during every practice. Because of PPI, participants have the opportunity to play a new sport, learn from great coaches, and even travel out of their communities to experience other parts of South Africa. As a coach and member of PPI – SA’s office staff, nothing is more fulfilling than having children see the leader in themselves and committing to improving their futures.
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