Peace Through Sport is implemented by The Marshall Legacy Institute and is supported by the Christopher Stevens Virtual Exchange Initiative (JCSVEI). JCSVEI is a U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs program administered by the Aspen Institute. Peace Through Sport is a partnership program between the Marshall Legacy Institute and the Hadhramout Foundation.
Peace Through Sport (PTS) was created to build cross-cultural relationships between American and Yemeni youth by utilizing shared sports culture, values, and language to develop knowledge, tools, and experience to realize positive changes in participants' communities.
The first of eight rounds began on January 13, 2025 where 103 youth between the ages of 13-19. At the beginning of the program round, participants improved skills in the area of communication, respect for diversity, and problem-solving through in-person sports activities that encouraged meaningful discussions. The next two weeks requires participants to learn about their local communities by identifying strengths, areas of need, and resources within the community which then led to the final phase of the program. Students applied the information and skills learned during the first to phases of the program round to create and implement a service learning project to benefit their local communities.
Two guest speakers shared their journeys and shared values through their sporting careers. Ironman competitor and heart transplant survivor, Jayde Kelly (United States) and professional volleyball player, Jamal Muftah (Yemen) shared values of mental toughness, importance of a strong work ethic, perseverance, hope, and life balance. The participants were extremely engaged in the presentations and asked amazing questions.
Four impactful projects were successfully implemented during the program round impacting more than 1,200 people.
The St.Edmunds Academy (U.S.) project is one part of an overall project to reduce food waste. The Decomposer Group worked to set up compost bins on the school campus and to create posters to share information about the importance of the compost bins and how they can be sustained over a long period of time. Using microbes from Bokashi composting seeds, the speed of decomposition process is accelerated. Students were encouraged to place uneaten foods from their lunches into the composting bin which would be later used for fertilizer and soil for growing crops. Participants also worked to reduce waste by collecting 100 pieces of non-perishable food to be donated to people who need food through an organization called 412 Food Rescue (nonprofit organization in Pittsburgh, PA)
University of Maryland (U.S.) participants realized there is a lack of opportunity for global connections on their college campus. Although there is a very diverse community at the school, there are not many opportunities for students to engage with people in other countries. Through their project, students from UMD established a club and are working to increase club membership and offer more exchange opportunities in connection with The Marshall Legacy Institute.
Al-Shatea (Beach) & Ibn Sina High Schools (Yemen) implemented a project called New Life that markets a blood donor app to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and increase the number of blood donors in the community. This app marketing will provide information on how to donate blood and chances for social interaction around blood donation. An easy-to-use and enjoyable user experience will be provided. The importance of the project is to provide blood at the right time in order to save lives. Indicators of the verification of this project are the increased awareness of the importance of blood donation and the increase in the number of blood donors.
Mukalla Model Secondary School (Yemen) created this initiative because of what we see today from the rise in global temperatures, which negatively affects our environment and health and has devastating effects on the landscape. It aims to spread environmental awareness among community members and promote sustainable behaviors to protect the environment and make it green and clean. The Green Vision team is working to improve the quality of life in their community through awareness activities about the importance of preserving the environment.
The first round of Peace Through Sport Yemen was impactful, creating relationships between the United States and Yemen. The participants made positive contributions to their local communities and began their journeys to positive civic engagement.
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