Tag Archives: Girls

by | July 12, 2012 · 12:09 pm

From the Archives: PPI – ME Presents: The Inaugural Girls LDP Team

LDP

Three new LDP participants from the community of Beit Safafa.

This week our From the Field blog will take a look at a post from way in the past, on October 1st, 2009, by former fellow Julie Younes. To see the original blog click here.

This past Tuesday evening, at the team’s first practice of the year, the PeacePlayers International – Middle East Girls Leadership Development Program (LDP) Team scrimmaged the Boys LDP Team to a 10 – 10 tie. No one was more surprised about this result than the girls themselves, a few of whom were initially hesitant to play against a group of older boys. The game was both a reflection of the players’ skills as well as an important milestone for PPI – ME, as it marked the debut of PPI – ME’s female LDP Team.

The LDP is a program designed to give PPI veterans the opportunity to continue their basketball and conflict resolution training, while also taking a leading role within PPI’s other programs. In 2007, PPI – ME formed its first LDP team, a group of veteran PeacePlayers hailing from several different Arab and Jewish communities. In addition to intensive basketball training, the boys engaged in community service projects and served as volunteers at PPI – ME events. Since that inaugural year, the LDP team has helped paint and refurbish an old building at a special needs elementary school, competed in a league with teams from across the country, and learned how to teach basketball by assisting local coaches at practice. The boys have truly blossomed in their role as young leaders of the PPI – ME program.

Now the girls are ready to join in the action. This season, for the first time, PPI – ME will field a team of experienced female PeacePlayers, most of whom have been a part of the program for over four years, as an LDP Team. These girls are talented basketball players – as evidenced by the result of the scrimmage – who have also distinguished themselves as exceptional leaders. The group is poised for an outstanding year of games, volunteering, and life skills activities designed to further develop their leadership skills. There will also be many more scrimmages – and next time no one will think twice before challenging the boys.

1 Comment

Filed under Global, The Middle East

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | March 11, 2010 · 2:29 pm

Bar and Serene

International Women’s Day was Monday, but we didn’t want to let the week go by having recognized the outstanding contributions that women are making to our work only once. A few years ago, Chad Ford, a writer for ESPN.com and professor at Brigham Young University – Hawaii, visited our work in the Middle East. Among the many stories he brought back is this one, of Bar and Serene, two girls from two of the toughest neighborhoods in Jerusalem – neighborhoods that have long stood at opposite sides of one of the world’s deepest cultural divides:

Bar (right) and Serene (left) in 2006. Photo by PPI's Program Director, Samer Elayan

Bar, a poor Jewish girl from a ghetto in Jerusalem has a number of things working against her. But she is outgoing and quick to make friends, like many others who have joined the PeacePlayers Twinned Basketball Camp program.

On our visit to Bar’s house, Serene, a Palestinian teammate from Isawiyya, asks if she can come, too. Serene has never been inside a Jewish home. She is curious to get a picture of where her friend lives.

Bar lives in a dilapidated brick apartment building reminiscent of American ghettos. During the interview, gunshots ring out, followed by the sound of sirens. Later, we find out that a shooting took place just a few buildings down from Bar’s apartment.

Bar says the pressures not to mix are strong. “I like to become friends with everyone, it doesn’t matter who,” she says, sipping soda in her small apartment. “That’s the way I was taught. But not all the kids think that way. I’ve been teased for spending too much time with Palestinians.”

So how did she hook up with Serene?

“I remember that she said snitzel is her favorite food. It’s mine, too, so I thought we had something in common,” Bar says.

A friendship was born.

“It was so amazing to see that she was so interested to meet me,” Serene says. “I thought we could be good friends.”

Bar and Serene's friendship helped change Osnat's mind about the chances for peace. Osnat (right, in black) is still coaching for PPI - ME.

The two girls embrace after the interview. There seems to be a real connection, and Serene says she is trying to learn Hebrew to facilitate the communication between the two. Over the course of the next year, Bar and Serene will have the chance to interact often as part of the Twinned Basketball Clubs. The goal is that the friendship will continue to deepen over the next five years as they continue to interact and get to know each other.

While the creation of one friendship might seem small, it’s exactly these type of bonds that PeacePlayers creates to set the foundation for peace and communication. The story of Bar and Serene, says their coach Osnat Ginati, has an important effect not only on the kids, but also on the adults.

“I think kids like that, who are willing to open themselves up despite real danger of being rejected, inspire us all to be better,” Osnat says with tears in her eyes. “Some of my family tells me I’m crazy to believe a program like this will ever work. That Arabs will never change. But I see this, and I say to myself, maybe both of us are capable of change. “

Read the rest of Chad’s article here. Full disclosure: since the publishing of this piece Chad has worked for PPI as a consultant with The Arbinger Institute, helping to develop and deliver PPI’s peacebuilding curriculum. The project is supported by the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation.

Serene is still a member of PPI's Leadership Development Program, where she helps train younger players to follow in her footsteps. That's her all the way in the bottom-left of this picture.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Global, The Middle East

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | December 10, 2009 · 3:15 pm

At PPI – ME, the “WNBA” Is in Season

"WNBA" players from Beit Safafa, Esawieh and Leyada High School

The “WNBA” league, PeacePlayers International – Middle East’s oldest female twinning group, held its first event of the season on Thursday, December 3rd. Girls from the PPI – ME communities of Beit Safafa and Esawiah – who have participated in the program for over three years – joined members of the Leyada High School basketball team for a joint practice led by PPI – ME Basketball Operations Manager and professional coach Vito Gillic’.

This “WNBA” season represents a continuation of last year’s successful “Premiere League” twinnings, during which the girls competed on four integrated teams in a league format that culminated with playoffs and a championship game. With the summer break and holidays behind them, the girls were ready to pick up where they had left off.

As the PeacePlayers shuffled into the gym, they excitedly caught up with one another while lacing up their basketball shoes. It was immediately clear that the girls had lost neither their basketball skills over the break, nor their friendships.

"Quick Hands, Quick Feet" Warm-up Drill

And with these girls, basketball is business. As always, they came into the gym ready to play. In twinned pairs, the girls warmed up by practicing their layups, ball handling skills and coordination.

Throughout practice, the athletes also seemed to work on their cheering skills. “Yalla, yalla!” meaning “Let’s go let’s go!” constantly bounced off the walls of the gym as the girls ran hard through the drills.

At the end of the practice, the group split into four teams for scrimmaging. A coach was assigned to each team to provide both advice and encouragement to the players.

Jump Ball!

The athletes worked well together and it is clear that they have high hopes for the season. As the girls left the gym, they seemed to only be thinking of the next practice…”Yalla, isn’t it Thursday again yet?”

Leave a Comment

Filed under Global, The Middle East

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by | November 20, 2009 · 1:00 pm

Say Hello to the Only Girls Basketball Program in the Entire Troodos Mountains!

The Agros Girls team. Six new members joined the program at the beginning of September.

The Troodos Mountains stretch some 120 KM (about 75 miles) across the middle of Cyprus. This part of the island is known primarily for natural beauty, tranquility, cool temperatures, and its beautiful churches, some with world famous fresco paintings. The difference in temperature between the rest of the island and the Troodos is illustrated by the fact that during the winter months of January, February, and March there is skiing down the slopes of Mount Olympus (the highest peak on the island).

The Troodos Mountains cover a large part of the island. PPI-CY's Agros team represents the only opporutnity for young girls to play basketball in the entire area.

When other PPI – CY teams practice outdoors during the day, PPI – CY’s program in Agros, a village in the Troodos, are held indoors with kids bundled up in sweat pants and sweat suits. While this area of Cyprus is known for many things, it is not primarily known for offering basketball programs for young girls. PeacePlayers International is changing that every week with its program in the picturesque village of Agros.

Of  the over 50 villages and towns that reside in and around the Troodos Mountains, none offer any type of basketball team or program for young girls. This year, PPI – CY can boast that we offer the only such program to young girls in the entire mountain range and its surrounding areas. In previous years, only a handful of girls participated in the Agros program, which was dominated by boys. When practice started this year, veteran PPI – CY members Galateia Kitromili, Skevi Hatzinikolaou, Irene Kostea, and Stavroula Stavrou showed up with a bundle of their friends wanting to participate in PeacePlayers, and Coach Antonis Tsolakis was more than happy to oblige.

When in year’s past maybe one or two girls would show up for practice, Team Agros now fields an entire team during each practice and at bi-communal events. “I like Peaceplayers” says Skevi, “it provides an opportunity to make new friends, and helps us with communication with new people.” PPI – CY is clearly providing an opportunity that these girls cherish and are intent on taking advantage of in the future. Fellow veteran Irene Kostea told this blogger that “I have played three years now with PPI – CY. I want to play again next year, and the next year because its fun and I want to continue to play.”

Galateia, Stavroula, and Skevi, Agros' most experienced participants, this past September at the Earthdance Streetball Festival.

What is great about the PPI – CY girls program in Agros is that the combination of new and old members illustrates the impact that PPI – CY can have on the mindset of a young Greek-Cypriot. When asked if they get nervous, or if playing basketball with girls from ‘the other side’ is a difficult task, the four girls with previous PPI – CY experience respond, almost in unison, “No, it is so much easy…and fun.” However, the newer members responded that during PPI – CY’s Earthdance Streetball Festival this past September, as first-timers it was hard to play with kids from across the island’s divide. They quickly clarified that is was just hard to try and play basketball with kids when they could not speak the same language, and, at times, it proved to be very frustrating.

For most children, first participating in one of PPI – CY’s twinnings, tournaments, or bi-communal events is a mental and physical challenge, for both Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot children. However, as has been proven numerous times, with each jump shot, outlet pass, and high-five that takes place in a bi-communal setting, these tasks become less nerve-wracking. They become normal, every-day experiences for Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot children. If the well-rounded character of Agros’ experienced members is any indication, its newest members will grow more accustomed to playing with girls from the Turkish-Cypriot community, and will show the entire island just how powerful the game of basketball can be when bringing together its divided inhabitants.

P.S. Like this post? Make sure you vote for PPI with Chase Community Giving! PPI could win $1 mil to support programs just like this.

1 Comment

Filed under Cyprus, Global

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | November 13, 2009 · 2:42 pm

The Advantages of “Playing for Peace” with PPI-CY.

119

Last time we checked, they didn't just interview anyone at half-time of a nationally televised professional basketball game.

There are numerous benefits to participating in PPI – CY’s activities, teams, and events. The most important of all these is the opportunity to meet and play basketball with members from the “other side” of the island’s divide, and form special relationships that shape a better future for the island of Cyprus. The breaking down of barriers and the dissolution of generations-old, inaccurate stereotypes are perhaps the greatest accomplishments of PPI – CY’s children. But there are other very important benefits to being a part of PPI – CY.

smiling_cypriot_children

PPI – CY offers all children the opportunity to participate.

For most, participation on one of PPI – CY’s teams represents the first ever opportunity to play on an organized basketball team. Most club teams in both communities recruit only highly skilled players for their teams, and like most teams, only the best players get a lot of minutes on the court. PPI – CY offers a chance to anyone who wishes to play, free of charge. Members of PPI – CY’s teams have traveled to Northern Ireland on youth conflict resolution trips, played before sell-out crowds at Professional EuroCup basketball games (and then were interviewed on live television before an audience of millions), worked as ball-boys and ball-girls at the Games of the Small States of Europe (A.K.A. the Small Country Olympics),  shaken the hands of former President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu,  met and talked basketball with former NBA star Len Elmore, and have gotten their picture in the local newspaper on numerous occasions. The benefits of playing with PeacePlayers go well beyond the lines of the basketball court, and the desks of the classroom.

IMG_9377

There are numerous opportunities involved with being a member of PPI – CY.

Maria Achilleas, a former member of the Greek-Cypriot Agios Antonios’ Girls Team (pictured above in the middle), was selected from a pool of candidates to attend last summer’s Youth Activism “Mission to Northern Ireland” with a mixed group of Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot boys and girls. The trip had a profound impact on her. Her parents said that “everyone should participate in this program.” According to her mother, since Maria started playing basktetball with PeacePlayers her school work has improved and her English language skills have improved drastically. Maria is currently playing for her school’s girls team and stops by PPI – CY practice every once in a while to say hello. Before PPI – CY started its team in Maria’s neighborhood, there was little opportunity for girls her age, regardless of athletic ability and social status, to be able to play on a real basketball team.

Tune in next week to meet the members of PPI – CY’s newest and perhaps most ground-breaking team: the Girls team of Agros.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Cyprus, Global

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

by | October 8, 2009 · 10:15 am

PPI – ME “Fun Days” in Jaffa


In preparation for the 2009 – 2010 programming season, PPI – ME has launched a major recruiting initiative for its teams in Jaffa. For the past month, staff members have been traveling to numerous schools across the city, holding special activity days for children within both communities from the first to the eighth grade. These “Fun Days” not only encourage youth to be active and participate in sports, but also serve to introduce them to “PeacePlayer” values – including sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership. The recruiting drive has been spearheaded by Tony Hamaty, PPI – ME’s new Program Manager in Jaffa. A native of the city and a veteran basketball player and coach, Tony has been an enthusiastic and valuable addition to the staff.

PPI – ME has run activity days at the De la Salle School, the Orthodox School, the Jaffa Scouts Club, the Tabeetha School and the Terra Santa School, reaching well over 600 children. Those interested in continuing to learn basketball will sign up and play in PPI – ME’s Jaffa Twinned Basketball Club at the city’s Arab – Jewish Community Center (AJCC), a long-time partner of the PPI – ME program that hosts many PeacePlayer activities in Jaffa. Through the Twinned Basketball Club, the fun will continue in an integrated context, so that children can make friendships across communal lines and learn from PPI – ME’s unique peacebuilding curriculum.

4 Comments

Filed under Global, The Middle East

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | October 1, 2009 · 6:33 am

PPI – ME Presents: The Inaugural Girls LDP Team

LDP

Three new LDP participants from the community of Beit Safafa.

This past Tuesday evening, at the team’s first practice of the year, the PeacePlayers International – Middle East Girls Leadership Development Program (LDP) Team scrimmaged the Boys LDP Team to a 10 – 10 tie. No one was more surprised about this result than the girls themselves, a few of whom were initially hesitant to play against a group of older boys. The game was both a reflection of the players’ skills as well as an important milestone for PPI – ME, as it marked the debut of PPI – ME’s female LDP Team.

The LDP is a program designed to give PPI veterans the opportunity to continue their basketball and conflict resolution training, while also taking a leading role within PPI’s other programs. In 2007, PPI – ME formed its first LDP team, a group of veteran PeacePlayers hailing from several different Arab and Jewish communities. In addition to intensive basketball training, the boys engaged in community service projects and served as volunteers at PPI – ME events. Since that inaugural year, the LDP team has helped paint and refurbish an old building at a special needs elementary school, competed in a league with teams from across the country, and learned how to teach basketball by assisting local coaches at practice. The boys have truly blossomed in their role as young leaders of the PPI – ME program.

Now the girls are ready to join in the action. This season, for the first time, PPI – ME will field a team of experienced female PeacePlayers, most of whom have been a part of the program for over four years, as an LDP Team. These girls are talented basketball players – as evidenced by the result of the scrimmage – who have also distinguished themselves as exceptional leaders. The group is poised for an outstanding year of games, volunteering, and life skills activities designed to further develop their leadership skills. There will also be many more scrimmages – and next time no one will think twice before challenging the boys.

5 Comments

Filed under Global, The Middle East

Tagged as , , , ,

by | September 28, 2009 · 8:27 am

Welcome to the Fellowship Blog!

PPI - ME girls having fun during an integrated Twinning Session featuring participants from Abu Gosh, Beit Safafa, Beit Shemesh, Haneesuee, and Esawiah.

PPI - ME girls having fun during an integrated Twinning Session featuring participants from Abu Gosh, Beit Safafa, Beit Shemesh, Haneesuee, and Esawiah.

Here at PeacePlayers International, we’re awfully proud of the work we do. In South Africa, Northern Ireland, Israel and the West Bank, and Cyprus, every day we’re using the game of basketball to bridge divides among young people and their communities – divides that have persisted, and in some cases deepened, for generations.

But we’re not done. The changes that PeacePlayers International is pursuing won’t be sudden ones. Day-by-day, we’re making more and more progress, for example by pioneering the inclusion of Arab girls in the Jerusalem Municipality’s Girls League, previously segregated due to school rules, and we want to share those results with you, as they happen. This blog is our attempt to do so.

It will be updated almost daily by the PeacePlayers International Fellows, a group of outstanding scholar-athletes who play integral roles in our programs abroad. Though all of our programs are led by members of the local community, and implemented on the ground by coaches from the local communities, the Fellows provide our international operations with a unique blend of enthusiasm, ingenuity, and experience. We know they’ll bring the same to this blog.

So please check back regularly to keep up on the latest from all our sites. Explore this blog, and explore our homepage. And, if you want to join our effort in using sport to bridge divides, consider getting involved.

1 Comment

Filed under Global

Tagged as , ,