Faces of students and teachers alike lit up as we brought them sports’ equipment this month. After the difficult and hectic year we’ve been having, this donation of equipment will enable them to have a solid and inspiring re-start to their efforts in 2021.
At the first school we visited the youth had only been able to play because the principal had been bringing his personal cricket bat to school the last few years. It was all battered and nicked, and everyone was speechless when they saw the multiple new, quality bats and other equipment. The principal thanked us profusely; “Having such quality equipment to play sports with will instill in our students a sense of pride and self-worth”, he told us.
The next school is in a large informal settlement. The sports leader there explained that they had been trying to get a cricket program up and running for nearly five years! They simply didn’t have funding for bats and other costly equipment. After opening the bag and seeing its content he marveled at the quality of everything. “Now, we can play, and will!” he said. “Just wait until we play against another school and walk onto the field with our fancy things.”
We drove nearly an hour on dirt roads to three small communities outside of Caledon. In these communities there is very little access to anything. Sports keeps the children occupied on weekends and often after school; creating self-worth and teaching teamwork. The children here rejoiced to receive these wonderful items – immediately beginning to play impromptu cricket matches with us – and we know they’ll use and enjoy them for a long time to come!
All in all we brought cricket bats, gloves, caps, shirts, shoes, netball attire, rackets, birdies, bags, bottles, and other accessories to these schools, projects and communities, telling each one of the miracle of God’s supply and His love and care for them. It is our hope and prayer that as many as possible can find joy and upliftment in sport!
