As the 2018 camp comes to a close, we want to highlight one of this year’s most amazing partners: Reclaim Childhood!
Reclaim Childhood is non-profit organization located in Amman that empowers girls and women through sport. Started in 2008, Reclaim Childhood runs after-school programs, summer camps, year-round leagues, and coaching development courses. Their programming supports refugees from over eight countries as well as at-risk Jordanian girls and women. All of these programs and events support their broader mission of: “reclaiming childhood” where kids can just play and be kids, bridging the gaps between refugees and host communities as well as those gaps between countries and cultures, and facilitating women’s empowerment through the transformative power of sport.
Maddie Ulanow, US director of Reclaim Childhood (left) with Coach Rahaf (Zarqa) (right)
The Reclaim Childhood model is an inspiration. It puts women in leadership positions within the organization and provides them the tools to be leaders in their families, their local communities, and in the global community. For example, Coach Reem Nyez won the 2017 Youth Empowerment Award from the United Nations for her work to empower Syrian girls, particularly following changes to US immigration policy. Maddie Ulanow, US director of Reclaim Childhood (and board member of the Nina Brekelmens foundation!), and Jessie Wyatt, Jordan director of Reclaim Childhood, participated in the 2017 European Peace and Sport forum – an annual gathering of more than 600 major decision-makers from over 110 countries.
The RC Zarqa staff. They put together a bus from their community to attend on race day!
We are proud to partner with such an amazing organization! Just as they have mentored and guided girls and women for the past decade, Reclaim Childhood is now mentoring and supporting runners through the Nina Brekelmens Running Camp. For the past two years, coaches from Reclaim Childhood have accompanied girls to camp. They offer guidance and support for our head coaches, and the organization as whole is generous with recommendations and connections within the Amman sporting community. We owe a debt of gratitude to Reclaim Childhood as they have helped us to become better, more effective, and more sustainable in our efforts to expand running programs and opportunities for girls in Jordan.
The RC Amman staff. Hanan (far right) and Wala'a (second from right) are RC coaches who worked directly with the camp this year.
To the all of the folks at Reclaim Childhood: thank you for your integrity and unwavering commitment to empowering girls and women. Your love of sport, justice, and equality inspires us all. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants.
We cannot wait to see all of our Reclaim Childhood and Nina Brekelmans campers at this Saturday’s race. The event is open to girls from across Jordan. Registration for the 1K competition begins at 8:00 am with a 9:00 am race start to follow. Girls may sign-up in-person.