Joyful, loud and busy

Joyful, loud and busy is how we often describe a CWB session and this perfectly describes the one we have just finished at Atik Bint Abdullah Muktalib school in the East of Amman.

Once again we were working side by side with Right to Play to add a bit of cricket, energy and chaos to another of their play days.

Some may be aware that alongside volunteering myself and two fellow CWB members also produce The Good Sports Podcast, a monthly show on Sport for Development. In a recent episode we discussed using the creative arts alongside sport to produce a more rounded inclusive session for all, and today was a real example of how this can work in practice.

The play day started with a short dance routine for the gathered dignitaries with the other 120 or so children providing background clapping and shouts of encouragement it then moved into 1 girl beautifully signing out a passage from the Quran. The whole school then found it’s voice with a powerful rendition of the national anthem.

There had clearly also been art sessions in the build-up as various banners and other decorations adorned the walls of the concrete playground giving it a festive feel. One team was also dressed as various fruits; I never did work out why but it did make them stand out in the crowd if nothing else.

With the DJ working away in the corner blasting out the now familiar classics the sport and other games went into full swing football, cricket, hula hoops and various racing games all jostling for space as the children did what children do the world over, throw themselves into games with a free spirit of joy and fun.

Amid the mass of competing teams, it was still clear to see some of the positive effects that sport can bring alongside the obvious physical benefits, everyone was happy to share and ensure that all had a chance to try each new activity, and in all of the laughter and noise it was still easy to spot how all were encouraging and supportive.

Once the activities finished all the children were given lunch and we gathered with the teachers in the staff room for coffee and cake and the all-important debrief, it was great to see that although the session had clearly been a success the teachers and RTP staff were still discussing ideas as to how future ones could be even better, hopefully CWB can start to help play a small part in making this happen.

Lee