One World One Rope
Mike Fry is introducing jump rope to the children of Tanzania and Kenya. The techniques and skills developed can be easily adapted throughout Georgia, just as a partner organization is doing in Indiana. See: http://www.jumpkidsjump.org/ Jump rope will get results in Georgia in the fight against childhood obesity.
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Michael
Last Name
Fry
School or Organization
One World One Rope
Country
United States
Section 2: About Your Organization
School/Organization Name
One World One Rope
School/Organization Website
School/Organization Phone
216-973-9987
School/Organization Address
P. O. Box 249 Richfield OH 44286
School/Organization Country
United States
Your idea
Are you a
Principal
How does your innovation currently get kids (or how might it get kids) engaged in physical activity? How would your idea or project potentially be implemented during the school day?
Jump rope is a fun and accessible activity for youth. I’ve seen the most inactive, unenthused students become excited and involved, eager to try one of the many styles of jumping (see videos). One World One Rope gets these kids engaged through a phased program. First are performances at schools, social institutions and centers for street children. The performances expose children to the vast possibilities that jump rope has to offer, and help to raise a level of excitement about the sport. Next are the teaching sessions, often with an adult coach or helper from the institution. Finally, for advanced jumpers, national and multi-national competitions are held. Concurrently, the adults are taught techniques and rules to ensure the sustainability of the program. It is essential to have a committed coach or facilitator who is able to coordinate practice schedules, provide a facility, and train and motivate children throughout the year. Return visits to each school and center keep the level of enthusiasm high, and allow for more advanced instruction. The jump rope program can be introduced both during the day as part of physical education curriculum, or after school as an extracurricular activity.
Name Your Project
One World One Rope
How many children does this program currently or plan to serve? How much time does each child spend daily/weekly engaged in physical activity? (150 words max)
In Tanzania (Morogoro, Iringa, and Moshi) and Kenya (Mombasa), 1,628 children attended demonstrations, with 434 of those receiving additional instruction, during a three week period in January 2009, all with a single instructor. One World One Rope has returned to East Africa, taught in Dar es Salaam and Morogoro in September and October, and will soon travel to Iringa, Moshi, and Mwanza in Tanzania, and Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu and Mombasa in Kenya, with additional instructors in select locations. See map: http://www.oneworldonerope.org/about/large_map.html. A multi-national competition in Mombasa, including workshops, is scheduled for July 2010. At least 10,000 children will be exposed to the sport during the school year ending July 2010. Following these patterns, and with enough on-the-ground dedication and support, every child in Georgia can be reached. Typical participation is 2 hours a day, three days a week. Jump rope is a great way to fight obesity in Georgia, and get children involved in positive physical activity.
Describe Your Idea
Mike Fry is introducing jump rope to the children of Tanzania and Kenya. The techniques and skills developed can be easily adapted throughout Georgia, just as a partner organization is doing in Indiana. See: http://www.jumpkidsjump.org/ Jump rope will get results in Georgia in the fight against childhood obesity.
Tell us the story behind the social innovator. (150 words max)
Jump rope has been a central focus in Mike's life from the time he picked up his first rope at age 10, and became a member of the Heartbeats Jump Rope Team. He was soon competing in regional and national events. In October 2001, at age 15, Mike jumped with Team USA at the World Championships in Seoul, South Korea. He has competed in every sanctioned World Championship since then, and has taught jump rope in Korea, Australia, South Africa, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus and British Virgin Islands. He is now working to see jump rope recognized as an Olympic sport. Each ensuing year has fed his desire not just to excel, but to share the sport with others. Mike's ultimate aim: to provide new opportunities for participants to experience success, develop healthy lifestyles, increase social ties, and take on roles of leadership and responsibility within their communities.
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Comments
Good luck, Mike. We're proud of your project in East Africa, and think that using jump rope to fight childhood obesity in Georgia is a great idea!
Good luck, Mike. Maybe there´s a Nobel Peace Prize in the offering for you ;-)
The main pic of the The Atlanta Falcons Youth Fitness Contest: 60 Ways to Play 60, shows wide receiver Michael Jenkins (#12) doing push-ups with two young boys.
Here's a pic of push-ups, Tanzania Style, at Mbuyuni, outside of Dar es Salaam:
http://www.oneworldonerope.org/media/photos/mbuyuni/mbuyuni_page_01.html
Training for jump rope, a good way to help fight youth obesity in Georgia.
Hi Michael,
I have read through your submission and the work that you are doing. I want to commend you for this and really looking forward to how this program can spread throughout the regions in Africa.
I strongly support this idea and have voted accordingly and will mobilize other teachers in our network to vote for you too. Congratulations and wishing you the best.
Raphael Ogar Oko,
Africa Regional Coordinator, Teachers Without Borders
Winner, Ashoka Champions of Quality Education in Africa
Passion...is the relative of Patience...a reason to Perservere!
Michael Fry,
WOW! One foot in the air & the other planted on solid ground, then-switch, because you've got balance.
teamLEOnardo LOVES your entry. Thanks for submitting. You are an inspiration. Age three & up is an example of perserverance.
We're going to get a couple jump ropes to increase the brain power (energy) in the LEOlab.
Peace brother,
Hop-with-us!
å.
(vote#71)
Thank you for selecting One World One Rope's entry as the winner in the Atlanta Falcons Youth Fitness Contest: 60 Ways to Play 60. I am honored to receive the award, and thrilled at the prospect of a jump rope program being implemented in schools in Georgia.
Thank you for all of the great feedback. If you have any questions, suggestions, or additional feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me at mike@oneworldonerope.org.
Thank you again for this opportunity!
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