My primary job as a secondary teaching in the Peace Corps in Mozambique includes instructing
topics in English that adheres to the national curriculum and creating and grading exams. Teaching
English is my priority as a volunteer here. At the same time, we can also have a secondary project
based on community needs.
This could be any project that a volunteer creates with a counterpart in order to promote sustainability and to
help the community.
While browsing through Peace Corps volunteers' blogs before coming to Mozambique, I read that
it is pivotal to access community needs and then the PCV can utilize
his or her skills to collaborate with the members. Before joining the Peace Corps,
I thought that maybe my secondary projects
would include art or even dancing, since I love doing both. However, one of my secondary projects
is an English Club.
I have a new project now. Last month, a physical education teacher from my school approached
me and asked if I'd be interested in coaching a girl's basketball group. My first thoughts were,
"It's been ten years since I played basketball. Do I even remember basketball rules?"
Hesistant, I accepted the offer a month ago. Not only are the 8th grade girls learning how to dribble
the ball and do lay-ups, we have discussions about HIV/AIDS, eating fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking clean, boiled water.
Never in a million years did I think that my high school basketball experience
would catopult me into the world of coaching. I love working with the meninas, or girls, because they smile when they make a basket or steal the ball from an opponent.
The only problem that we're facing is the lack of financial resources. Many of the girls come from families that do not earn a lot of money. The girls run up and down the court barefoot because their only pair of shoes are one dollar
sandals. An even bigger problem (I don't know if this is too personal) is that the girls don't wear sports bras.
As a female basketball player, it is imperative to wear a sports bra and the 8th grade girls don't have any
support for their chest while they are playing. Our plan is to have a fundraising component. We're contemplating if we should
make and sale peanut butter or popcorn. If you have other ideas, we'd love to hear them. Also,
I'll be learning how to write grants next week at a Peace Corps conference. Hopefully, we can receive a grant to buy sports bras, shoes, basketballs, and a ball pump.
The name of the team is Dama Divas, or Lady Divas and this is why:
These girls have attitude (in a good way, haha). And here are some photos of the entire team:
Anyway. every time I walk on to the
court and see the Lady Divas, I smile remembering how blessed I am to have this experience. I will provide updates soon on how the divas are doing. Obrigada!
