|
|
|
| Threatened Paradise -
the Seyshelles |
As the ship sailed into port at the stunning island
nation of Seychelles, which lies just off of the Eastern Coast of
Africa, a select group of hardy passengers prepared themselves for
what was to become a monumental day. This group had opted to pass
on the shopping trips into town and the bus to the beach in order
to brave the sun and sweltering humidity for a chance at the glory
only Peace Ball can deliver.
The match took place on a lazy Sunday afternoon at the Freedom Square
Football Ground, which was a 20-minute walk from the where the ship
was docked. The opposition consisted of a group of junior high school
students from CEFRAD, the Center for Rights and Development, a grassroots
organization which seeks to provide stable environments for children
by promoting family values. Before the game introductions were made
and Peace Ball presented a soccer ball, brought over from Japan and
signed by each team member, to the other team; in a move that took
everyone by surprise, the CEFRAD side, despite undoubtedly limited
resources, produced their own ball and passed it to the Peace Ball
members.
Never mind the large puddles in front of each goal and the havoc they
wrecked upon the aspirations of defenders and forwards alike. Forget
the lack of nets or corner flags or grass, and disregard the broken
beer bottles that littered the field. And go ahead and disregard the
result of the match, despite it being a rare 1-0 victory for the Peace
Boat team on an unforgettable puddle shot by Tim, the hard-charging
English forward.
But remember that when the two groups first met they stood awkwardly
several meters apart, the Peace Ball side an odd mix from countries
all over the world but only a few English speakers, the Seychelles
side a shy but warm group of junior high school students with no Japanese
at all. Contrast this to the scene a few hours later, when several
members of each squad peeled off and swapped their sweaty uniforms,
formed new teams and went at it in earnest, players from Japan and
Seychelles trading high fives and jumping on each others' backs after
goals and mistakes.
As the two groups parted ways, the Peace Boat members to hit the beach
and relax, many of the locals to go mend fishing nets for work the
next morning, it was clear from the friendly goodbye hugs and last
few passes knocked back and forth that the day had been a success.
|
|
| Shingapore-Mombasa
/ Peace Boat's 36th Voyage |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
