by Gail Robson, Communications Officer, Special Olympics Gambia
Since September 2002, Special Olympics Africa Programs in Kenya, Namibia, Benin and The Gambia have been enjoying some Canadian company.
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Canadian interns Dawn Keim and Vigor Kapetanovic (both wearing red shirts) pose with Special Olympics Ghana athletes and David Mutambara, Special Olympics Africa Managing Director (in suit) at the National Directors Conference |
Since 1991, The Commonwealth Games Association of Canada has offered support to developing countries. Programs such as The Commonwealth Sport Development Program and The Canadian Sports Leadership Program have been reaching millions of people through sports programs and initiatives in Commonwealth countries, recognizing the important role that athletics can play in an individual's development. This is the second year that Canadian interns have been sent to offer their enthusiasm and expertise to sports programs around the globe. Special Olympics is fortunate to have four of these interns in the Africa region.
Dawn Keim, a Canadian national athlete, was selected for an internship with Special Olympics Gambia. Her career as a national rugby player and long history of athletics, combined with an administration background, made her an ideal person to contribute to the Program.
Keim joined Special Olympics Gambia in September 2002, just in time for the Program's National Games and the opening of the Program's first office space, located at the Independence Stadium in Bakau. As Administration Officer, Keim has been busy organizing the office as well as creating athlete, coach and volunteer forms and an athlete database.
As the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games draw near, Keim has been helping the Program prepare. The coaching structure has been revised and a national coach and sub-Program head coaches will be identified by February. Athlete practices also have been restructured and developed. As part of this, the three sub-Programs, Banjul, Brikama and Essau, will now be attending combined practices leading up to World Games. Because of the country's small size, the entire Program can meet quite easily. A one-week training camp for World Games athletes, followed by a farewell party to be attended by all athletes, family and friends, also has been scheduled.
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Dawn Keim helps award Special Olympics athletes at The Gambia National Games. |
One of Keim's most important contributions has been her work with the Ministry of Education and the Department of Special Needs. It has agreed to introduce the Special Olympics Get Into It™ curriculum into the National School Curriculum, qualifying Special Olympics Gambia for a full-time, two-year Peace Corps volunteer. The volunteer will begin at schools within the Greater Banjul Area and later, countrywide.
This, along with the planning for a football (soccer) training clinic, followed by the re-introduction of a football team and preparations for a Special Olympics Gambia Web site and other Program literature, has been maximizing Keim's stay with the Gambia Program.
It is easy to see that Alieu Cham, Special Olympics Gambia's National Director, is a firm supporter of the internship program. "We were so delighted to receive an intern. Dawn Keim was a welcome arrival. Having her here has enhanced the development and expansion of our Program."
The Canadian interns are heading back to Canada in May 2003. It seems to be a perfect exchange that equally benefits both the interns and the Programs. And in the true spirit of Special Olympics, it fosters the sharing of gifts, skills and friendship on an international level.
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