PPI-CY participants play dribble tag between games while Taylor (standing right) looks on.
This week’s blog is written by PPI Fellow Taylor Brown, whohad the opportunity to travel from South Africa to visit PPI-Cyprus over the Easter holiday. He recounts his experience below.
Over the Easter holiday, I had the wonderful and unique opportunity to visit the PPI program in Cyprus. Having been in contact regularly with the PPI Fellows in Cyprus, Adam Hirsch & Gunnar Hagstrom, throughout our 2-years abroad with PPI, I was eager to learn about the current state of the conflict in Cyprus and PPI-CY’s work in bringing together participants and communities from the North (Turkish) and South (Greek) sides of the Island through basketball.
The gorgeous view from the top of the St. Hilarion Castle.
The PPI programming highlight of the trip was my participation in the 2 Twinnings held at the UN Buffer Zone basketball court on April 5th. Before the games featuring mixed teams started, the PPI-CY staff developed and led fun and interactive teambuilding activities to help foster the interaction. Also, having the opportunity to meet the Cyprus coaches and other members of the PPI family and lending a helping hand at practices with PPI-CY participants was blast.
In addition to consistent consumption of haloumi, kebabs and souvlakis, we also had time for some tourist activities. The two highlights were a Saturday night Bazoukia, a traditional Greek evening full of music, dancing and food, as well as a visit/hike to the breathtaking Saint Hilarion Castle in North Cyprus.
Thanks to everyone in Cyprus for making the visit an unforgettable one, and we hope to have some of you down in South Africa sooner than later!!
