Steve Omischl recounts visit to Ghana with Right to Play

Vancouver, BC, May 1, 2008 – As a member of the Canadian Olympic Freestyle Ski Team I’ve done some pretty amazing trips over the years, but none were even close to the experience I recently had in Ghana. I felt truly honoured to be asked by Right to Play to join three of the nicest and best female athletes Canada has, on a trip to this West African nation. Led by Clara Hughes, I joined Emily Brydon and Mellisa Hollingsworth spending five days visiting schools, community centre’s, and even a Liberian refugee camp in the capital city of Accra. The purpose of the trip was to help inspire kids, teachers and RTP staff with stories of Canada, snow and Olympic sport – a complete novelty to people who live in above tropic temperatures most of the year.

The majority of our time was spent joining the children while they participated in games that taught them about things like malaria and HIV to name a few. Games that were also helping the kids build self esteem, social skills and with their physical development, all key assets when you’re facing life in such a harsh environment. Finding work is one challenge, but so is fending for your basic survival. Families farming dry, almost baron lands with many mouths to feed is something our North American households know nothing about.

The scary part of traveling to Africa for the first time is being exposed to something most people hope they never face in their lives: extreme poverty. Most people who have been to Africa before try to warn you about the things one might see, but until you see kids playing in absolutely filthy conditions and possibly sick from malnutrition or disease, you can’t comprehend how difficult life can be. This was something I personally had the toughest time with. I have always been appreciative of the country I live in and the life that I lead, but seeing people in dire need made that fact really hit home. Most people in North America have NO IDEA how good we have it. If paying taxes, having a flight delayed or getting a speeding ticket are all things that usually get us down, we should try going a few days without food!

I really want to switch gears here and not focus on the negative things I saw. I need to say that for all the difficult things I saw, I also met some of the greatest humans I’ve ever been privileged enough to talk to. Educated men and women that have chosen to dedicate themselves to helping kids become the next leaders of their country. People who see their responsibility to help their fellow man create a viable future for this nation. It would be very easy for these people to say it’s not their problem and turn their backs. However, it’s that selflessness that I saw in the RTP staff and coaches that I will never forget. Everyone should be so lucky to have people that will lend a hand through tough situations even when they themselves have little compensation.

Something else that really struck me during the trip was how the kids actually played. I have been to lots of schools in my time and played lots of games with children of all ages but these kids were something else. The enthusiasm and joy I saw in the children were like nothing I’ve ever seen. The pure fun within sport really shone through. When asked what they had for breakfast, some replied rice, others didn’t reply. But, when the games started they ran, chased, jumped and sang like they ate Sunday brunch at the Hilton. In North America we often have a tough time getting kids to do much after breakfast that doesn’t involve a joystick. Food for thought?

I didn’t have to visit Africa to realize how good we sometimes have it. However, I did have to travel 10,000 miles to see the good work that Right to Play is doing for the world. Everyone needs an opportunity to laugh and have fun regardless of their situation. If RTP can educate at the same time as that, they are living up to both of their mottos: “When children play, the world wins,” and “look after yourself, look after one another.”

Steve Omischl

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posted April 29, 2008