The Olympic Movement has celebrated the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6th April 2016.
Ski Jumping star Severin Freund (GER) recently visited Thailand as part of his role as Right to Play Ambassador to make a positive impact on the lives of Burmese refugees.
Right to Play is FIS’ international charity partner and uses the power of play to foster peace and understanding, and to educate and empower children and youth in communities across the world.
While in Thailand, Freund paid a visit to the Umpium and Mae La Camps which are two of nine camps providing shelter for 110,000 Burmese refugees. In the Umpium Camp, Freund learned about Right to Play’s education of teachers - Burmese refugees themselves - which focuses on child-centred and game-based learning. At the Mae La Camp, the German ski jumper participated in sport and play activities offered by local coaches twice a week to enhance physical, emotional, cognitive and social development.
Freund commented: “I was amazed by the fun and good cheer. It is great to see how the power of sport and play are having such a positive impact on the lives of Burmese refugees. In an environment characterised by hopelessness, children and youth are given a perspective. I am especially happy to have met teachers and coaches who are using all their energy to give pieces of peace, childhood and normality back to the refugees.”
Source: fis-ski.com
