Basketball 2007

Warning, this is a begging post.

So, one of my projects here is coaching a couple of basketball teams in my village. Due to a lack of equipment, and constantly deteriorating gym floors...oh and the fact that no one knows how to play....basketball hasn't been real popular in Moldova.
the volunteer in my village a couple of years ago got a team off the ground though, and it has grown in popularity since. I am now coaching three teams in my village, and spend just as much time on the court as in the classroom teaching health. This may seem strange to some folks, but it my opinion it is one of the most valuable things I do here. First of all it keeps a gaggle of teenage boys off the streets and out of the bars, perhaps at least slowing the process of them becomming a vodka soaked, chain smoking, bitter old man...by the age of 20. It also is a great opportunity to teach what folks in the industry refer to as "life skills". You know, those little things that make the world go round, like communication, discipline, showing up on time, anger management, teamwork, respect....the little stuff. Since a lot of these kids don't have parents at home, because they are off working illegally in another country just to put food in their mouths, there isn't a lot of parental influence, and Russian MTV and movies have an even stronger influence than they do in the states.
Anyway, the kids may not be real good at bball, but it has become their drug...which is way better than the norm of alcohol and nicotine. They show up to every practice, and actually are starting to change their behavior so that they work as a cohesive unit.
I am kinda proud since I am neither built for bball or have much experience, but they are actually catching on. (I am actually a basketball god in my village, just to give you a picture of their experience level...for a while this actually made me think I was kind of good...then I played with some other Americans).
So, those of you who are still with me...this is where the begging comes in. Peace corps has set up an online grant program that lets everyday folks contribute to community efforts in locals served by PC volunteers. Thus we can find money to support our programs without having to find a major donor. It is an idea just like PC, funding from the grass roots, and we need your help to fund a national basketball tournament that will give these kids a taste of real competition.
My village is the farthest flung in Moldova, thus we are the most expensive team to have in the league. I also have 11 boys on my senior team, thus we will be hitting the budget pretty hard this time around. If a bunch of folks will give just 5 bucks a piece though, it will make a big difference. My boys live for this competition, just the way the high school sports inspired me to show up for class every day when I was a teen. We really want to be able to give them this opportunity.
Ready to donate....if not, I will put more begging blogs up soon, I just have to get going now and get some work done. Please skip Starbucks for a day though and help us out. Here is what you need to do. (copy and paste this link into your browser)
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.projdetail&projdesc=261-151&region=europe
If that doesn't work, just go to www.peacecorps.gov, click on "Donate now" on the bottom left, select Eastern Europe as your region, then search for the grants in Moldova. This project is the Moldovan National Basketball League, thought there are many other worthy programs out there, and I encourage you to donate to as many as you are willing.

You can also call the Peace Corps' Washington office and donate at(800) 424-8580 ext 2170. Tell them that you want to donate to theMoldovan National Basketball League, project 261-151.
Thanks folks. We appreciate your support. Don't delay, donate today.
Will do a posting with a life update soon.