Become An Ambassador
Become an Ambassador!
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:
World Hoop Day Ambassador
25-63 42nd St. #7
Astoria, NY 11103
25-63 42nd St. #7
Astoria, NY 11103
Hoops in Negril, Jamaica, West Indies
by Ambassador MelMacPink
In preparation for International travel to the West Indies, I read more
about the festival Chinese New Year, researched the political and
economical state of Jamaica, and discovered opportunities available to
serve the community I was traveling to. I felt strongly after viewing a
documentary called "Life and Debt", that I not travel in Jamaica only
as an American tourist on vacation, but as a volunteer advocate of
peace. I was determined to not experience Jamaica selfishly by taking
what I could get out of a place, but to consciously remember to leave
something behind. I was intent to not assume my status and entitlement
as an American, while on Jamaican soil. It felt only right to offer a
piece of myself to a community rich in culture and history, but also
culture very much in need of a resource for the sake of their youth. 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.As I learned about Deep Blue Ripple's many projects, I discovered the need for art supplies, educational materials and recreational equipment in the city of Negril. I felt inspired to bring the positive energy that hoops can generate to the West End of Jamaica. I was quickly 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. Other members of my local community caught on to the project and donated loads of school and art supplies to Deep Blue Ripple's cause!
The event itself was fantastic! Volunteers spent time re-vamping a run down park by mowing the lawn, picking up broken glass, organizing trash removal and making the space family friendly. After school ended around 3pm, the kids slowly filed in to create a wild and active event! The kids all 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.
In additon to hoops, other activities included face painting, harmonica playing, a kazoo-blowing, balloon-twisting clown, a watercolor painting station, frisbee and boomerang throwing, a rainy soccer game, roving musicians, a drum circle, temporary tattoos and finishing off with a Chinese New Year dragon parade. It was a glorious day full of fun and excitment.
Overall, my travels taught me a new appreciation for life. I was able to re-evaluate my concepts of prosperity and abundance. I realigned with gratitude and simplicity as the children's smiles and laughters were imprinted into my memory. As the hoop represents a sense of one-ness and whole-ness, I saw the children as reflections, shiny mirrors glowing back at me. The language of laughter, music, and art were global that day and with the help of the hoops we were able to transcend through language, culture and boundaries to reach a common ground: FUN! The lesson was affirmed. We are indeed all as one, and one is all we are.
melmacpink
See more photos here!