3. Finishing a project

First, I want to thank everyone who helped me with my basketball court,especially my town’s new mayor. She will most likely never read this, but without her, this would not have been a reality. I would also like to thank the International Women’s club of Moldova who gave us a grant to build this court and does excellent work for Moldovan youth and women. I would like to thank all those who donated money from back in America, your generosity shows a side of American culture that often goes wholly overlooked. I wish the people who are so ready to point out the bad sides of American foreign policy looked at the breathtaking amount of foreign aid the American government and the American people give around the world. I hope you all continue to show your generosity to those in need, realizing that it makes a better world not just for the recipients, but for all of us.

The basketball court, hopefully, will be a place in the community to expand upon. Already, this has gotten the mayor and others in my village thinking about expanding upon, and actively using the little public space there is. Unfortunately, the reality always is that budgets are extremely tight, and just basic upkeep, and things like heating the school are difficult to get done. This upcoming spring, my fellow volunteers and I, will hopefully be using the court in an attempt to show the kids a thing or two, as well as teach the kids the benefits of a healthy eating, daily exercise, teamwork, and the perils of smoking and excessive drinking. Hopefully the lessons will stick with some of the kids, but I know the court will be something they can enjoy long after my departure. Once again, Thanks to all who made this possible, God bless!

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