By Philippe Socka | Project Leader
Dear Donors,
This report is to inform you that our first edition of “Dream Big” Basketball Camp was an incredible milestone achievement. The camp ran for 3 days (August 8, 9 and 10) this summer after months of preparation.
For the first time, we made a concerted effort to have all the different personnel in the camp work together as smoothly as possible. The coaches, volunteers and facilitators worked together in a completely new way. It was bound to benefit the participants to have this kind of cooperation among all the adults who came from three neighborhoods cities; Loum, Bafang and Nkongsamba and worked together at the camp for the first time.
The very first day of the camp, we made sure all participants are healthy and physically able to participate in all activities. Thanks to few local nurses, each kids received physical examination and was ready to go.
The enrollment process was very simple; we decided that all participants from 12 to 17 years old who have or have not played basketball before were accepted. Thus, we were expecting 50 participants at the beginning of the camp but more kids showed up and we had to adjust the quota to 60 due to the high demand including two young boys under 12 years old. The participation rate of girls was 21%.
The kids were divided into 3 workstations everyday:
1st workstation: The initiation; it consisted of kids who never touched a basketball before.
2nd workstation: The improvement; it consisted of kids who had played basketball before but at a lower level.
3rd workstation: The betterment; it consisted of the elite of the camp, those who were more skilled and had took part in some competition, school games for instance.
Although these kids were coming from three neighborhoods cities, Bafang, Loum and Nkongsamba, we noticed a perfect interaction between all the campers. We have seen a perfect example of living together as advocated by the public authorities because of the current socio-political environment of the country.
The feedback of some kids interviewed gave us the desire to repeat the experience next year.
Donald, 14 years old, 8th grader, from Bafang: "I play basketball since I was 9 years old. The camp allowed me to improve. I discovered new game systems. I loved it and made many friends. I'd like to come back next year ...”
The final day of the camp was a balance of enjoyment, recognition of accomplishments and gratitude. We began with an all gymnasium clean up then announced the winners of different competitions during the entire 3 days camp. Every kids received a participation diploma they would carry for years to come as evidence that they took part of our first edition of “DREAM BIG” Basketball Camp.
Departure day can be a difficult balance between being so glad we had a successful basketball camp and so sad that it has to end. As much as we like to say that our first edition is just the beginning of becoming an every year camp, it was an overwhelming experience for all participants, a growth spurt and a blooming of real selves, like nothing else has ever been for most kids. They have been encourages, challenged, applauded, and consoled by loving people who were total strangers to them for only 3 days. They learned so many skills taught by fellow campers as well as the staff. It was intense and fun!!!
‘’DREAM BIG’’ BASKETBALL CAMP 2019 IN NUMBERS
Thank you again for helping Manengouba Foundation extend its work to reach more kids this year and build a stronger community within Nkongsamba. Please stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, @manengouba. Please share our work with friends and continue to support us. Visit www.manengouba.org to donate and to learn about upcoming projects.
By Philippe Socka | Project Leader
By Philippe Socka | Project Leader
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