WHD is looking for Ambassadors to travel with hoops and give them to children in need. Please download this form, fill it out, scan it in and send it back to us. Or drop it in the mail:
San Francisco, CA 94124
World Hoop Day has been able to give money to those who apply and agree to follow some basic guidelines. They either travel with an organization or solo. Often Ambassadors make and tape the hoops before hand and check them as luggage. Some find the materials on their trips to make locally. Dove packed un-connected hoops in a suitcase and will connect them in Africa. Others have taken collapsible hoops and given those away, and on one trip to Mexico, hoops were shipped and arrived the day before we were to leave. (I do not recommend this unless absolutely critical, and never use DHL.) Ambassadors have given away over 200 hoops on WHD and self-sponsored trips.
- Jo and Rachael from the UK took hoops and made them in Palestine and Israel. Read their story below from Sept. 2008 here.
- Diana of Body Hoops (Ojai, CA) returned from Mexico in Sept. 2008 and donated 30 hoops to Fundacion La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico.
- Michele (IN) started Hoopsie Daisie in October 2008, and took the hoop making to the schools. Identi-Tape will be adding one of her photos to their website!
- Melody of Hooping for Peace (Atlanta, GA) developed a creative social movement promoting peace and social justice around the world in Sept. 2008.
- Annie & Kevin of WHD (SF) and Steve aka Hoop Daddy (SF) donated 10 hoops total to San Francisco's Walden House, a home for rehabilitating alcoholics in Sept. 2008.
- Gina of WonderWhirl Hoops (FL) donated Lil' Orbit hoops to Charlotte County YMCA Summer Camp & the Boys & Girls Club in summer 2008.
- Dove (NY) is volunteering with the Peace Corps from August 2008-2010 in Cape Verde, Africa and will lead the communities in hoop making and playing.
- Danielle (WI) visits Rwanda in Fall 2008.
- Kevin (SF) moved to California in 2008 and gave 14 hoops.
- Kevin & Annie & Jewels & Wheylan & Amanda & Stefan (NY) visited Brooklyn in April 2008 and gave 75 hoops.
- Stefan (NY) visited Cuba in 2008 and gave hoops.
- Melanie (NC) visited Jamaica in 2008 and gives 13 hoops. Read more below.
- Jewels & Wheylan (NYC) visited Guatamala and Belize in February 2008 and gave 1 hoop.
- Annie & Kevin (NY) visited Mexico in January 2008 and gave 26 hoops.
- Annie (NY) visited Mexico in January 2007 and gave 16 hoops.
- Stefan (NY) visited Costa Rica in 2007 and gave 6 hoops.
- Anna (UK) visited Sri Lanka in 2006 and taught local communities how to make hoops with basic materials.
- Julah (NC) visited Haiti in 2006 and taught local communities how to make hoops. Read more here.
Sept. 15, 2008
Dear World Hoop Day,
Thanks to such a generous community!
Wow, what a smile those hoops put on the people's faces Sunday at Walden House circa 3:15ish. I just delivered a few to them, so they can practice when I am not around. It was so funny, the intake
worker started hooping in the middle of their fancy hallway reception area. It was a riot.
Thanks to "World Hoop Day" for their generous donations in making this effort possible and for arranging the Door-to-Door delivery service. Totally cool.
Sincerely,
AC
San Francisco
August 22, 2008
Hi Annie
I'm currently in east Jerusalem, working with the international solidarity movement. we are staying with a Palestinian family, who are at risk of an illegal eviction, from a legal loop hole that some Zionist settlers (who are occupying part of the house) have brought against them.
I will try later on today to sort out some pictures and a report for you!
We had hoop making and hula sessions as part of a summer club in the salfeet region, and we have been doing hooping with the grandchildren of the family, who's house is under siege. we have lots of tape left over and you can by the pipe here everywhere! so as i have another 2 weeks here i will buy some more pipe and continue to make and give away hoops.
hope all is well with you
salaam xx
August 23, 2008
Hi Annie,
:) I'm not Muslim, but that is not a problem, or doesn't even matter here. There are quite a few Christian Palestinians and Jewish Palestinian too, who are also under occupation.
The family I'm staying with need an international presence, so I am with them through ISM (www.palsolidarity.org). You can read about the situation at www.sheikhjarrah.com
I´m working on puting the photos up, but internet is touch and go as we are sleeping out under the stars the family's yard! - because a security force employed by the settlers, to patrol the houses aka indimidate the residents, comes into the yard.
Right. I'll get on trying to put these pictures up! To see them... Click here.
I decided to assume my role instead as an ambassador of fun, health and creativity. I knew my work in Jamaica was to spread the good word about hoops. I felt inspired to bring the positive energy that hoops can generate to the West End of Jamaica. I was connected to the Deep Blue Ripple organizers and soon became involved with the 1st Annual Kids Fair held in Negril. I was thrilled! After connecting on Tribe.net with Hoopin' Annie, some simple networking led to a grant from World Hoop Day. With that support, I was able to construct, transport and contribute 13 kids' hoops. After school ended around 3pm, the kids slowly filed in to create a wild and active event! The kids recognized the Hoops immediately and in an exciting frenzy, they were quickly pros. With instant smiles and an eagerness to learn, the kids swept throughout the park like a storm! I spent 3 hours playing, teaching, laughing and adventuring with these bright-eyed and energetic sponges.
Overall, my travels taught me a new appreciation for life. As the hoop represents a sense of one-ness and whole-ness, I saw the children as reflective, shiny mirrors glowing back at me. The language of laughter, music, and art were global, and with the help of the hoops, we transcended through language, culture and boundaries to reach a common ground: FUN!
Melmacpink
See photos here!