Banana-Leaf Ball

Banana-Leaf Ball

Picture book
"Deo Rukundo didn't know why the war began in his country. But
he knew that one dark night his family was forced to flee their
hillside farm and its terraces of sweet potatoes, beans, and bananas."
Play is the universal language of childhood. When I was ten and
my mother and sibling and I spent much of a summer in Mexico I didn't
know Spanish. But the Mexican children knew I wanted to play. And
when one took my hand I would go wherever he or she intended. I
especially remember running up and down pyramids with a native boy
(much to the amazement of more sedentary tourists) and being given
scrumptious strawberry and coconut ice creams by girls vying to be my
best friend.
(Could this be one reason many adults have trouble making
friendships across nation and culture--that they have forgotten how to
play?)
Anyway children need to play even under the most dire
situations. This point is brought home perfectly in Katie Smith
Milway's Banana-Leaf Ball: How Play Can Change the World.
When we meet Deo he is fleeing men with torches and machetes who
are burning down homes and attacking people. He becomes separated
from the rest of his family and, after weeks of travel, enters a
refuge camp alone.
Conditions in the camp are harsh. There is not enough food and
water. Gangs steal what little other people have. And there are
bullies.
But soccer and a banana leaf ball begin to change things.
There was a real life Deo. In 1993, when he was ten, fleeing
for his life, he was separated from his family. Alone in a stressful
environment, he joined a Right To Play team and found that soccer was
the bright spot in his life, precious moments he could laugh and have
fun and be a kid.
The last pages are especially valuable. They start with this
premise:
"The problem of kids fearing each other happens in places other
than refugee camps. In fact, in schools around the world even recess
can feel dangerous or unwelcoming, particularly to kids who are being
bullied or left out. But with some coaching, playgrounds can be
wonderful places to play. And through playing, kids learn how to make
friends, lead others, and build trust..."
and include descriptions of six national and international
organizations that foster health, growth, and understanding of others
through play with a typical activity for each--perfect for any kind of
youth group.
So what can we do for those pesky adults who left play far
behind? (Don't say the Olympics. Even if they started in the service
of international friendship (which I kinda doubt) they now fester with
ego and capitalism on steroids.)
Banana-Leaf Ball was published by Kids Can Press and is one in
the CitizenKid series: "A collection of books that inform children
about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens." I plan
to get my hands on and review the rest. :-)
On a personal note, yesterday, in a snow coated Maine, I met with
John, Diane, and Maddie to plan this year's Orono Community and decide
what seeds to order. John brewed tea and Diane had baked delicious
bread. There was a fire in John's fireplace. In the face of all the
evidence that Puxatony Phil predicts quite accurately, it was so much
fun studying the catalogue with its vibrant pictures and thinking
ahead to coaxing lovely veggies from the ground. We even ordered my
favorite little white flowers to attract pollinators. Today I am
going to have frozen yogurt with another really good friend, Mazie.
Good ways to lower the stress generated by Higher Education Hello and
GAship interviews coming up so fast!
A great big shout out goes out to John, Diane, Maddie, and Mazie.
jules hathaway


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