【推荐1】With more and more kids picking up bats and gloves, efforts to build a “baseball ecosystem” in China continue to produce impressive results. And with Major League Baseball a key contributor to the drive, Chinese kids are learning from the very best in the business.

“The baseball environment has changed greatly since MLB entered the Chinese market. When we first came to China in 2007, the baseball population in the country was very limited.” said Tony Qi, managing director of MLB China. “But in 2019, the active baseball population had reached over 20 million. When we first organized the youth baseball match in five Chinese cities in 2008, each city had only one age-group to take part. But this year we have 20 cities, and in some cities we have competitions for five age groups.”

Around 400 teams have taken part in the MLB China Cup, a nationwide youth competition designed to encourage kids to take up baseball. During one recent season in Beijing, there were about 100 teams that wanted to take part in the MLB Cup. So, MLB, the Chinese Baseball Association and local baseball organizations are all working together for a brighter Chinese baseball future.

Audiences have also been attracted by the 2020 short film Tough Out, which tells the lives of a group of Chinese teenagers whose lives are changed through baseball. “In the short film, the kids build a new home in their baseball team, together with their coaches in a Beijing suburb (郊区),” said Qi. “The notion (观念) of home is very important in baseball culture. Through baseball, these kids gained home, friendship and confidence. They also gained the courage to fight against the hard situations they found themselves in. We’re planning to produce more content like this to make baseball culture popular.

【推荐2】Clocking 16 hours, 46 minutes, nine seconds, the athlete Chris Nikic didn’t finish with the shortest time when he recently completed his first Iron Man Race, but he did quite well.

After swimming 2.4 miles, the 21-year-old Floridian cycled 112 miles. Even after suffering a fall from his bike during the second leg of the race, he called on his inner strength to get back up, keep going and get the job done. And then he ran a 26.2-mile marathon to become the first competitor with Down’s Syndrome (唐氏综合征) in the world to successfully cross the finish line in the history of the Iron Man Race. For his efforts, Nikic also earned himself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

“To Nikic, this race was more than just a finish line and a celebration for the success,” his dad said. The race has served as a chance to become one step closer to his goal of living a normal life. It’s about being an example to other kids and families that face similar difficulties. Those with Down’s Syndrome will be prompted to live a life like normal persons.

Nikic trained between four and six hours a day to prepare for the event, and that training paid off.

Goal set and achieved, Nikic posted on Instagram, where he has 33,000 new followers. “Time to set a new and bigger goal for 2021.”

One of Nikic’s biggest fans, all-time tennis great Billie Jean King, tweeted the perfect response: “No limits. No boundaries. Keep dreaming big and going for it!”

As for that medal he won for completing the race, he gifted it to his loving mom. With hope of competing in the 2022 Special Olympics scheduled in Orlando, it looks as if Chris Nikic has plenty of big dreams yet to come true.

【推荐1】Parents And Children Together provides afterschool drop-in centers for children aged 7-15 who live in and around two public housing complexes, Kuhio Park Terrace and Puuwai Momi in Halawa. These programs promote the development of healthy children, families and community with an abundance of positive experiences for children and family members including educational, recreational, community building and support services. Services, activities hours may vary by site.

Educational Activities

All children are encouraged to show progress in school through Power Hour educational activities. Activities include homework help, encouragement and management.

The centers offer a computer lab and Internet access. Special training and projects are offered for children who wish to learn programming skills.

Students may participate in special reading and STEM projects offered throughout the year.

Sports and Recreational Activities

Children may watch videos, cook, sing, dance, listen to music and enjoy many relaxing activities with partners. Videos, video games, board games and football are available.

Organized outdoor activities and sports are offered, weather permitting.

Community Services

Children may participate in special projects to make positive contributions to our community such as:

Wall painting

Park, beach and road clean-ups

Youth Development and Skill Building

All teen center activities are designed to promote the growth and development of our children. Leadership skills, self-understanding and life skills are included at the centers.

Parent/Family/Participation

Parents and family members are encouraged to be a part of program activities. Specific activities for parents and family members include:

Game nights

Education sessions

Come to these activities and bring your family!