Help the Creation of a pickleball court at a school Tanzania

Catherine Njau - the Kuleana Youth Empowerment organization's chairperson, had participated in the 2024 TESOL Convention in Tampa, Florida, where she gave a presentation with Jane Petring - an ESL teacher, writer, workshop leader, and speaker.

During her stay at Tampa, Catherine had interacted with community members whereby she learned to play the pickleball game. She found the game very interesting and easy to play. Her first thought was to bring that game to the Tanzanian school in which she teaches.

Back in Tanzania she introduced the idea of creating a court and having the game played in the school, to the Head of school. He agreed to have the project implemented in his school as a pilot study. Like other athletic activities, playing this game improves students’ self-esteem, promotes teamwork and collaboration. It instills respect for rules and boundaries, and enhances students' learning in school. Playing this game is expected also to increase motivation, develop critical thinking, the adoption of leadership skills, and to improve English speaking skills, in both boys and girls students.

The implementation of the pickleball game project will begin with making teachers, students and parents, aware of the idea. Catherine will explain the importance and benefits of this game, and describe the procedures involved in its playing. Next, students and community members will clear the area for the court, bring materials close to the site, knit the net, and paint the ground of the court after it has been constructed.