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PEACEPLAYERS INTERNATIONAL – SOUTH AFRICA

PPI SAPeacePlayers International – South Africa (PPI – SA) is an independently registered charity (NPO No: 024-786-NPO / PBO No: 930023713) in South Africa that uses basketball to help the young people of KwaZulu-Natal overcome the two greatest threats they face today – HIV/AIDS and a lack of viable educational and employment opportunities.

In response to the staggering toll of HIV/AIDS on South Africa, and KwaZulu-Natal in particular, PPI – SA has augmented its peacebuilding program with an innovative life skills curriculum developed in partnership with the Harvard School of Public Health Centre for the Support of Peer Education. Trained coaches serve as mentors as well as educators, functioning more as older brothers and sisters than authority figures. Skills sessions use a conversational format and interactive games to build trust, allowing PPI – SA to reach children even when discussing very sensitive topics, such as HIV/AIDS prevention, gender roles, and drugs and alcohol awareness.

PPI – SA is on pace to work with nearly 1,000 participants in its current programmatic year.

Core Programs

PPI SA

PPI – SA’s programs include:

  • Primary School Programme – Grade 6 and 7 students (ages 10-14) at 35 primary schools in and around the city of Durban participate in weekly practices that combine basketball with life skills education. This program teaches basic basketball skills and raises participants’ awareness about subjects such as teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, gender issues, human and children’s rights and the threat of HIV/AIDS.
  • Leadership Development Programme – PPI – SA recruits students in grades 8 through 12 (ages 14-18) to receive more in-depth basketball and life skills training, as they learn to not only live healthy lives themselves but also serve as leaders within their own families and communities. The Leadership Development Programme is a frequent source of new PPI – SA coaches.
  • Professional Development Programme – Young people ages 18 through 25 from PPI – SA”s partner communities serve as coaches to the organization’s younger participants, while receiving thorough training in both basketball and mentorship. In addition, PPI – SA offers coaches professional training, including topics such as resume preparation, financial management and interviewing.