Many of the highlights of our previous visit in April came on our trips north to the Mafraq region working alongside UNHCR in schools and community centres there. With a full schedule this time there was only one spare day when we had the chance to leave Amman and go see our friends in the north.
An early start allowed us to beat most of the traffic and be out of the city limits in good time to make the 50 mile journey. We were set for a full days coaching in Hay Olimat School for Girls set in the heart of the main town. This school, like many in the region, runs 2 streams of children every day – Jordanians occupy the school in the morning and Syrian children in the afternoon.
Our busiest day on the last project was at this school and so this time with a team of only 3 we were braced and ready for a busy day. Outside the school we were warmly greeted by Tambi and Dr Awad from UNHCR, it was a real pleasure to catch up again with them and we are so grateful that they could spare the time to host us again and organise coaching in the area.
After the usual introductions and guest book signings in the head mistress’s office it was time to hit the playing field to set up ready for the first class. Our worries at only having 3 coaches were soon relieved as luck would have it 3 student teachers were training at the school that day and were all keen to try this new game of cricket.
We ran 3 sessions in the morning each with around 80 girls. With each session the teachers grew in confidence, and so we gradually moved into the background so by the 3rd session it was almost entirely run by them. As always this was a gratifying experience, and a helpful reminder that to effectively empower communities through cricket the leaders and teachers in those communities must also be empowered.
As ever the girls were full of energy and enthusiasm but in stark contrast to when we visit our African countries it is clear to see that they have had very limited experience or opportunity to play sport or be physically active. After years of taking physical literacy in our participants for granted it is interesting to consider what impact having the opportunity to develop these skills through playful sport could have on these young women. Developing basics that we take for granted – running, agility, balance, flexibility – essentially being able to confidently move and control your body, seems to be a kind of empowerment in itself.
Lunchtime arrived allowing us time to grab some food and return to the UNHCR office to catch up with another friend Abdul, his wife was expecting their first child when we met previously and to the joy of all we spent a happy ten minutes looking at picture of mini-Abdul.
Sadly the weather outside was starting to change as the wind picked up and dark clouds gathered on the horizon, we dashed back to the school and managed to coach another session before the wind increased and the rain finally came sending everyone dashing for cover.
We left feeling as though we had left the day unfinished but promises were made to return again on the next trip to put this right.
Lee
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