Outgoing magazine Institute for Sport Studies Outgoing Magazine Work Document 2017 draft version | Page 12
International institutions
The School of Sport Studies not only participates in inter-
national networks, but is also actively involved with other
organisations. A good example hereof is Stichting ISOP
(Internationale Studenten Ontwikkelings Projecten).
Founded in 2003 by ALO students in Groningen ISOP start-
ed out with creating sport and health projects in Costa Rica.
Later projects were added in Nicaragua and Zambia as well.
The basic idea is to facilitate physical education at schools where this is not happening yet. By ed-
ucating both staff and children the aim is to reach a large number of people. From that basic idea
different projects arose. In Turrialba, Costa Rica, handicapped children experience sporting activi-
ties next to their regular school program, while in Zambia local trainers and coaches are supported
by Dutch students in informing the players on the dangers of HIV and AIDS.
ISOP offers internships in the Netherlands in managing the foundation and also abroad in cooperat-
ing in the different projects in South America and Africa.
Another organisation started by a Sport Studies student is
Local Dreamers, which is also engaged in development.
Local Dreamers is focussed on South America, in particu-
lar Ecuador. People often go to developing countries to
help, Local Dreamers prefers to speak of contributing to
local goals. Contributing to projects that would have been established even without Local Dreamers
present, side by side with locals. Helping their dreams come true.
Born out of the passion for South America of a number of young idealists projects were set up to
support the development in different parts of Ecuador, ranging from the capital Quito to the inland
Amazon river to the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. For instance Project YasunÃ, taking
place in the jungle. Local tribes are visited and the youth receive sport lessons, even English classes
are given to educate potential guides in the area and sporting activities are organised to prevent the
youth from grabbing the bottle, locally a major problem.
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