PPI-South Africa City-Wide Tournament

Overview

The year 2011 was a momentous one for PPI – SA in that it marked the organisation’s 10th year in existence. In that time the organisation, with the generous support of donors, schools and other stakeholders, has changed the lives of more than 10,000 children in the Durban area for the better. As Mrs Pillay, the school rep at Berea Primary and a long time supporter of PPI puts it, ‘PPI has given children something to look forward to, and the fun and pleasure that many of them lacked in their lives’. In 2011, PPI – SA had 776 participants in its Primary School Programme (PSP), 100 in the Leadership Development Programme (LDP), and 43 coaches, Area Coordinators and other staff members participated in the Professional Development Programme (PDP).

Engagement

PPI’s efforts at relationship building received a major boost in July with a visit to the organisation by high profile American television news journalist Ann Curry and her family. Ann, her husband Brian, daughter McKenzie and son Walker spent five days visiting PPI sites, interacting with participants and meeting various stakeholders. Ann had previously done a story on PPI from the USA and wanted to see the South African programme in person. Ann Curry’s family were impressed by the work of PPI – SA and expressed eagerness to help out in various ways. Brian, a business man, will in future work with PPI – SA’s Managing Director in fundraising and building partnerships.

Enhance Programmes

PPI – US has partnered with the Arbinger Institute, an organisation that has developed a curriculum for peace building that is used in other PPI sites around the world. An official from the Arbinger Institute is set to visit PPI – SA in 2012 to assist with the integration. To further strengthen its highly successful Professional Development Programme (PDP), which has trained more than 300 youth in work related skills, PPI – SA has developed a formal curriculum to be delivered in 2012. This curriculum will see workshops on subjects such as CV preparation, interviewing skills, personality typing and career guidance and others, included on PPI – SA’s calendar for 2012.

Events

• Alcoholics Anonymous partnered with PPI and delivered a talk on alcohol abuse at PPI’s life skills workshops for primary school participants. The workshops brought together the schools in each area to bridge divides and give participants the opportunity to learn from each other.
• The 18th CityWide Tournament and 10th Anniversary Celebration was held in May and attended by approximately 700 participants. The day started with team building activities followed by games in which participants played in mixed teams. Certificates of recognition were awarded to participants and schools for outstanding performance and contribution to PPI over the years.
• A Tournament of Champions (TOC) was held for PSP participants on Youth Day and brought together the winners of the intra-area leagues in the first semester for both boys and girls teams. An overall PPI Champion was crowned for both the boys and girls. The date of the tournament was meant to raise participants’ awareness of Youth Day, and to encourage them on the role they can play to bring about change in their communities.