March 2009

Tracy meets with Top Government Officials in Mozambique

Mr. Aires B. B Ali, the Minister of Education of the Republic of Mozambique,
greets Tracy Mattes at the Government Headquarters in Maputo

Ministry of Education
Following the successful opening of the first "Thank You Small Library" in the District of Boane, Tracy and UNWTO ST-EP Foundation Chairman Ambassador Dho Young Shim met with Mr. Aires B. B Ali, the Minister of Education for the Republic of Mozambique at the Government Headquarters in Maputo.

UN Special Representative and World Olympians Director Tracy Mattes discusses education solutions with Mr. Aires B. B Ali,
the Minister of Education for the Republic of Mozambique and his deputy, UNWTO ST-EP Chairman Ambassador Dho Young Shim,
and Mozambique National Olympic Committee President Mr. Marcelino Macome

In a meeting which also included the Deputy of Education and Olympic Committee President Mr. Macome, Tracy discussed how the libraries are a big step in solving inconceivable problems with very simple interventions. Mattes says, in today's world, simply getting children into schools in not enough; governments must also ensure that children complete the primary cycle and attain the basic knowledge and skills needed for personal well-being and national development.

During the meeting Mr. B Ali asked to create a plan to bring five more "Thank You Small Libraries" to Mozambique. The Minister explained the tremendous impact the libraries can have on the development of these rural regions in furthering the opportunities for education.

Ministry of Sport & Tourism

UN Special Representative and World Olympians Director Tracy Mattes with Mr. Fernando Sumbana Junior, the Minister of Sport & Tourism for the Republic of Mozambique, UNWTO ST-EP Chairman Ambassador Dho Young Shim, and Mozambique National Olympic Committee President Mr. Marcelino Macome

Following the meeting with the Minister of Education, Tracy, Ambassador Dho, and Mr. Macome then met with Mr. Fernando Sumbana Junior, the Minister of Sport and Tourism for the Republic of Mozambique. During this meeting Tracy discussed the value of sport in changing a community. Tracy says sport plays valuable dual roles. First it allows the children to be children and lets them play. At the same time sport teaches valuable life skills such as teamwork, leadership, discipline, rules, and conflict resolution which will lead to increased child self-esteem and resilience. Tracy says eventually the communities win because the children who possess these crucial life skills will serve as catalysts for healthier, happier and more peaceful communities. Tracy also discussed the ways in which the World Olympians Association is creating education and community outreach programs to get the Olympians to act as mentors to the children. She discussed the five rings programs developed by the WOA.

Tracy has been invited back to Mozambique to play a role in bringing the five new libraries and also to implement education programs on the other OlympAfrica and youth sport centers in the country.

Tracy Mattes speaks to the Minister of Sport of the Republic of Mozambique about the value of sport and olympism
and how it can be a catalyst for healthier, happier and more peaceful communities in Mozambique