WE International Philippines “Let Them Play!”
The Philippines is a wonderful place, but it is also a developing country, and as such faces many of the challenges common to most developing countries. In my time living here, I have had the privilege of meeting and be inspired by several individuals who have dedicated themselves to helping the Philippines, and the Filipino people address the challenging issues that plague people in many areas of the country.
One such individual is Ben Compton, who has demonstrated to me a consistently unselfish, and caring nature. Ben and his brother Alex grew up traveling across Asia and the United States. Ben has lived in Thailand, Laos, Philippines, and China and has an M.A. in Counselor Education. After spending the initial part of his professional career working as a therapist, mentoring program coordinator, and foster parent with at-risk teenagers in the United States, Ben has spent the last 8 years working as a high school counselor, teacher, and basketball coach in international schools in Asia. Ben has a heart for youth, and a heart for the Philippines.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ben at my current place of employment Brent International School Manila. Throughout the last 8 months I have had the privilege of watching Ben work diligently and relentlessly in providing the kids of the Smokey Mountain garbage dump community with an opportunity to have access to education, and a reason to hope. Ben’s devotion to the youth of Smokey Mountain, and our shared passion for the game of basketball, helped us develop a great friendship.
I have never met a man who so selflessly gives up so much time towards such an admirable objective. Ben and I have talk on a regular basis about the goals, aspirations and objectives of WE International Philippines (the NGO that he founded here one year ago), and these talks have continued to inspire me. Our mutual love of the brilliant sport of basketball has led us to develop an idea that allows for the game of basketball to serve as a focal point of a project to help those children living in the most extreme poverty.
Our goal is to fund and construct a self sufficient basketball court in the very heart of Smokey Mountain garbage dump community. The court will provide the youth of Smokey Mountain with a positive social outlet, an opportunity to exercise, and the freedom to just be a kid and play, an idea that many of us take for granted. The court will also serve as part of an effort for WE International Philippines to encourage and sponsor students from the dumpsite to abandon their daily work as child scavengers in the dump, and enroll in school.
Our partnership in this venture will include Professional Filipino basketball players, Brent International School basketball players, and hopefully, participants in the Scotty Mac Basketball Camp. This summer Scotty Mac Basketball Camps will donate the funds equivalent to five campers’ registration fees to WE International Philippines’ “Let Them Play!” fund. We hope to raise enough funds in the Comox Valley to finance this worthwhile project.
Ben’s unselfish nature and commitment to make a difference in the lives of the children of Smokey Mountain he has enlightened my social conscience. The game of basketball has given so much to me personally, that it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to participate in a project that creates an opportunity for the game to give to others as well.
If you have any questions about the “Let Them Play!” project, please feel free to contact me at scottmac32@hotmail.com
