Programs
In the past three years, Sports Servants has sent 46 volunteers from seven states to serve a total of 121 weeks in Belize. More than 120 Belizeans have participated in our workshops, and more than 500 children have attended our camps. In 2009, we are targeting the entire Corozal district – 327 teachers from 41 schools who serve an estimated 8,000 children. While our programs are for boys and girls, a significant portion of our progress has been in the founding of a Girls Camp in one of the villages. Over 75 girls have attended girls camp and the potential for positive growth with girls programs is significant. The next goal for Sports Servants is the development of a league model in the Fall of 2009.
Camps
Camps bring hundreds of children together to play, learn and share with each other. With local coaches, we help each child work hard to improve their skills while incorporating important lessons that help develop their character as human beings. We also work with local leaders to form teams and connect nearby communities for practices and games. The camps are journeys of discovery. Kids learn what it means to be a Champion--on the field and in the heart of God.
Coaching Training
Sports Servants is designed to be led by the local citizens we are serving. In order to have a lasting effect, we train leaders to develop permanent programs once we leave. In many cases, we need to teach the fundamental principles of coaching because the concept of a coach may not even be known. We consider these seminars as important as any other program because of its long-term impact. Through our efforts, we will see eager citizens become reliable leaders and coaches of our programs.
School Programs
The formation of self-sustainable league play within schools and among villages is the hope for long-term change within Belize. As locals are trained and equipped as coaches, we hope to bring an organized model of league play so that more children and communities can benefit from the power of the programs.
A 3-Year Model built on relationships - Our approach is aimed for self-sustainability. From local youth, school principals, teachers to the neighborhood kids, we believe in sharing our lives with the local people in hopes that trust and strong friendships will be formed. We also partner with larger organizations, such as the YMCA, who share similar core values in order to further develop and maintain our programs. With that approach we hope to bring a location to self-sustainability in 3 years so that local Belizean youth and adults are running the programs for their children and transforming their communities.