Pave-A-Dirt Court

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Low Cost, High Impact Sports Infrastructure

Self help development projects are paramount to advancing progressive thinking among underserved communities. The thrust behind our preferred model is motivating communities to contribute non-monetarily towards development of impactful sport structures that benefit them long term. Our goal is to teach communities what they are capable of, not what they are limited by.

The 80/20 Sweat Equity Philosophy

Underserved communities must demonstrate commitment to spearhead 80% of community development initiatives in order to incentivize well wishers to help out with the remaining 20 %. This is based on the "train & support" concept that is consistent with fostering sustainability & ownership. This approach mitigates the "expectancy/dependancy syndrome" which typically cripples community innovativeness & derails progression. Calling upon the community to contribute in any way or form helps ignite a sense of project ownership & accomplishment that translates into long term prosperity.

Unlocking Communities Potential

Every community has significant growth potential embed in their cultures. The Pave-A-Dirt Court concept is emblematic of what community can accomplish with the few available resources they possess. Our philanthropic strategic efforts are laser focussed on unlocking functional potential in a culturally sensitive & acceptable manner. Long term positive impact on under served communities begins with teaching sustainable means of operation. Our goal is not to provide solutions but to train locals strategies necessary to empower them. formulate programs that foster longevity, sustainability, and continuity.

Technical Cooperation Experties

Partnering with game experts gives volunteer coaches & children from under privileged communities to learn proper game fundamentals needed to develop a strong passion for the game. With assistance from Dr. Jack Ramsay, (NBA Hall of Fame) coaches & players in Zimbabwe have access to unique professional basketball training materials.

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The Pave-A-Dirt Court process

Learn How We Are Reshaping Communities

The Village Bricks Model

The ground breaking Ted DeWolf Village Bricks basketball court construction concept is changing the way communities approach challenges in life. Getting some skin in the game is the key ingredient for sustainable community development. We challenge local communities to make non-monetary contributions in the form of sweat equity towards construction of low cost/high impact basketball & volleyball infrastructure. In 2014 we completed the historic Jack Ramsay Playground in Makoni District that is allowing children to learn & enjoy basketball in a safe school environment.

Unlocking Possibilities

Every community has high growth potential embeded in their cultures. Our self help developmental projects present a robust pipeline of incentives for community members to engage with each other in a collaborative & team oriented way. It also helps team members hone decision-making & leadership skills required to complete projects. The outcome is the inception of community socio-economic auto correction needed to restore hope & modify behavior among underserved children in a culturally sensitive & acceptable manner.

Train & Support Concept

The central philosophy behind our mission is to empower communities to become self sustainable. This is accomplished by helping set up functional structures that allow communities to adopt new ways of helping children. With support from game experts in the USA, we have successfully rolled out a series of sports based training programs that allow children to learn & enjoy sports. We heavily rely on partnering with the rural teaching community that volunteer as coaches & officials. We provide training materials including dvds', reading materials, certificates & the necessary gear.

The District Sports League

With enough basketball courts spread across the district, rural schools unlike before now are positioned to participate in various sports leagues. Utilizing recycled trophies courtesy of our well wishers, the program has successfully launched several leagues including, the Jack Ramsay Basketball League, Connecticut Attack Girls Basketball league, the Sharon & Jim O'Brien trophy, the Indiana Soccer trophy, Indy Eleven Soccer trophy. These trophies are supported by individual medals that children receive upon contesting in these leagues. Furthermore, with the developed infrastructure, we are now able to host coaching clinics and interact first hand with the underserved communities.

Community Engagement

Aligning the program strategic thought process between community & our objectives is an important aspect of creating the necessary buy-in. In order to foster program acceptance, continuity, longevity, & success, we must forge strategic partnerships with community leaders. We seek to identify local "champs" that share a common vision & passion for youth sport development & subsequently building buy in within their communities Before any work gets started, we ensure that the community is onboard what the mission at hand is. Creating buy in is necessary to circumvent push backs. We identify & work with local "champs" that share the same passion for development as we do.

Change Process Management

The Pave-A-Dirt court self help project presents a confluence of factors that will likely drive communities towards advancing change processes needed to break the poverty cycle. The psychological impact of utilizing available basic resources to advance monumental change not only helps communities to develop confidence in overcoming limitations but more importantly enhances their self esteem that can translate into lifetime skills. Our program is also helping increase gains on gender disparities that typically hinder community progression. We are giving girls the unique opportunity to participate, lead and dominate in an area predominantly by boys.

Here Is How communities are benefiting

Increased Girls Participation

Since program inception, within a school district in Zimbabwe, we have seen a significant 30% increase in girls' participation in sport. The upside is the significant increased visibility, exposure & passion to new sporting activities that have been predominately for boys, like soccer & basketball. Seeing girls suit up in basketball gear and run drills up & down the court is incredible. Better yet, witnessing the self esteem translate into academic proficiency for these girls points to the success of our program.

Academic Impact

Partnering with schools has given our program a unique opportunity to assess the impact of the program on academic performance. The positive values associated with our sport program is beginning to have a direct positive impact on girls academic performance. According to our program coordinator, the school community is seeing increased in class participation and confidence levels among girls that have not been Our programs create positive experiences and teach important life skills that encourage behavior change. Attendance & enrollment rates have dramatically gone up.

Social Outlet For Children

Without bringing community developmental projects to underserved communities, we miss out on the opportunity to provide a fun and safe environment where kids can be kids again. With 70 % of the population in Africa residing in the rural areas, most children have no access to basic sporting resources. Our sports based low cost, high impact infrastructure helps boost morale & restores hope to children that have become victims of social trauma. The sports programs serve as a social outlet for children to mitigate the day to day social challenges they face including the loss of loved ones to HIV/AIDS pandemic.

A Word From Coach Ramsay

There are no physical limits to individual achievements. Use your imagination. Imagine the life you want to live and live it."
Dr. Jack Ramsay, (NBA Hall of Fame & Legend)