::Day 5 w/ RIGHT TO PLAY - Bamako, Mali::
Monday, October 31, 2011 I'm on my way home to Toronto now, reflecting back on our trip. There's a lot going on upstairs, I think I'll recap Friday... it was one of the busiest, and most moving days of the week.
Our first stop was the office of the Minister of Sport and Youth Culture, to take part in a seminar about leadership. Boris (the excellent an eloquent RTP country manager here in Mali) is giving me a pat on the back for attempting 3 or 4 consecutive thoughts en Francais before deferring to the capable interdiction of Moise, translator extraordinaire. I spoke briefly on how inspired I was by the Malian people, their determination, optimism, commitment to their nation and impressive youth potential. Both Clara and I spoke about the Malian Youth Initiative that we are driving in Ouroun and other rural communities here in Mali. I described the process of developing leaders through sport, the importance of executive capacity, and how a healthy competitive environment helps to engender that quality in those who take part. I stressed how well I thought the RTP programming was being implemented in the communities we visited with examples from the field. One such example was how floored I was by the ability of a 12 year old girl in Bougouni to capture and hold the attention of a crowd of OVER 1000 kids and adults for more than 20minutes of RTP games and activities. Her powerful young voice, enthusiasm and leadership capacity were like a looking glass into Mali's bright future. Clara spoke in her exponentially improving French (seriously, can you say "learning curve", in French?) from a personal perspective regarding the leaders in her life, and how she developed as a leader through the power of sport. The minister of Sport also spoke briefly, as did a professional corporate trainer. Finally, Boris delivered a powerful, sermonesque closing on Right to Play's role in the development of the Malian youth. He convincingly laid out the progress, past accomplishments, challenges and aspirations of the local RTP programming.
From the Ministry of Sport it was over to the Youth Parliament for lunch with a group of teenagers who meet everyday of the week to discuss the rights of children in Mali. They report directly to the federal government of Mali, are aspiring doctors, lawyers, journalists and politicians. Their diction, eloquence and communcation skills (they all speak 3 or more languages) were astoundingly beyond their years. They went around the table and shared their goals for an ideal Malian future. All were progressive, focused heavily on youth and female empowerment, and their passion was palpable. Yet another testament to the potential of this beautiful nation.
For possibly the most stark contrast Mali could offer, Clara, the RTP gang and I went from the Youth Parliament to a boy's prison to play some Sport for Development games. In the picture below the boys and I are lined up preparing for a relay race. We also played a variation of basketball with a ball hockey ball for a healthy dose of full-on jail-style contact sports. These boys were smart, in a frighteningly different way than the other kids we met this week. They were the only kids who spoke to me in english all week, they answered the "reflect, connect, apply" questions with a sort of arrogant non-chalance that could only be categorized as charming. They shook hands, winked and patted eachother on the back. These guys were not just street smart, they are savvy and calculated. These are transferrable skills! I truly believe the RTP activities, and their extremely capable guidance team are guiding them in the right direction, and helping them to discover who they are and where they fit in a healthy, law-abiding society. I wish these young men a quick stay in detention, a full and healthy reformation, and good decisions in the future.
And that was our last activity day. Over, before we knew it. Actually to be very honest, I was feeling pretty burnt out by Friday night. We had a great send off dinner and dance with the RTP Mali staff on Friday night, accompanied by amazing live music by "Dabara" a famous local traditional musician and more delicious Malian chicken, (I ate the same meal everyday, and it never got old - Rotis Chicken, fries and fried plantain).
On Saturday we took a drive out to Bancoumana to visit Mali's first Canoe Club! With some assistance from the UN, Mali has a Canoe Federation, and a few sit on top kayaks. So we went kayaking on the Niger. Did I mention that Bamako means "Crocodile River" in Bambara? No hippo sightings, no Croc-encounters, I didn't even really see a bird... but it was a thrilling experience, and nice to have a paddle in my hands for the first time this week... albeit a plastic one.
I'm excited to go paddling tonight at home. Home: Please don't be 0 degrees.
A big thanks and a big WOW to RTP Mali for this incredible experience. I don't have words to describe what a moving and significant trip it was. So I'll leave it at Merci, Beacoup.
Until next time... 
Reader Comments (3)
I applaud your efforts and am captivated by the recounting of your experiences with Right to Play.
What you are sharing with those of us back in safe and comfortable Canada is so inspiring and hopeful in the face of some overwhelming odds for so many young people!
My best wishes to you and Clara!
Jason
love the posts from mali they are exactly the experience.
thanks for being you and for being partners with the youth initiative.
can't wait for the paddling lesson hahaha....
clara