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Írta: Administrator
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2009. január 31. szombat, 17:31 |
| | A Ray of Light -The Origin of the Idea | Around fifteen years ago, studying the night-life of his community, V. Standyfer, a social worker from Maryland discovered that juvenile crime and drug trafficking flourished after nightfall. Instead of watching kids waste their lives , he and his friends organised night-time basketball games for children hanging around streets. The results exceeded all expectations; in just one year, the magnitude of juvenile crime dropped by fifty percent and in two years similar sports clubs sprung up in almost every state of the United States. Almost nine years ago, peadiatrician and child psychologist dr. Sándor Faragó decided to do something similar in Hungary, too. However, instead of basketball, he challenged kids to a game of table tennis.
| Ping-Pong Doc, the Trend-setter | The statement of Dr. Sándor Faragó:
 Int he past, between 1974 and 1981, I worked at the child psychology department of the Neurological and Mental Health Institute (currently the National Psychiatric and Neurological Institute), where I treated young drug addicts Dr. Sándor Faragó recalls his early career. My duties were limited primarily to the supervision and observation of patients with various addictions, as in the earlier regime drug addiction was considered to be a capitalist disorder, a subject barely deserving to be discussed. The majority tumed away from 'junkies' in disgust, while alcoholism was sommewhat tolerated. With each passing day Ifelt that I was fighting a losing battle, until one day in 1981 I finaly had enough. It was then that I met a mother whose addicted son had died a year earlier and her second child was also starting to take drugs. She asked for my assistance but, instead of helping her, I fled to practise as a paediatrician in District III clinic. Toward the end of the 1980's, with the start of democratisation hard drugs started to flood Hungary as well, and everyone could see that soon thesse addictive substances would ruin entire families. I felt had to do something to save our children. So, under the aegis of the Health Foundation for the Children of Óbuda-Békásmegyer, established in 1990, I organised a mental-hygienic task force, We started with drafting the region's drug map and planed to help those in need and young drug addicts to escape the harmful environment they werw locked in. Szabó András, one of our staff members and head of Kapocs (Link) Youth Support Association told u show impressed he was with the activities of the Midnight Basketball League, a movement int he United States that embraced kids hanging around ont he streets, guiding them into the direction of sports, moreprecisely basketball. The League organised widely popular sports events and offered a helping hand to those in need. This is when I hit ont he idea that we should launch a similar aid program here in Hungary.
| Every Beginning is Difficult, Ping-pong at Night
| The statement of Dr. Sándor Faragó:
Every beginning is difficult and we did not have an easy time either. I had my own  ping-pong table transported for my home in Szentendre to my office in Óbuda with the purpose of organising ping-pong games on weekend nights for kids loitering ont he streets. It took around six months to obtain all the necessary licenses. After overcoming all obstacles, the lights finally went up int he reception area of the Vörösvári Road children's clinic on Friday and Saturday nights. First we were only playing with were only playing with some of my more enthusiastic colleagues, but soon a growing number of kids started to show up. They had some soft drinks, ate a few sandwiches and gradually spectators turned into participants. A month later, some twenty-twentyfive kids played ping-pong int the clinic night. The 'night program' became increasingly popular with the children, and their parents could also be assured that their kids were off the streets. At that time a journalist started to call me by the name of 'Ping-Pong Doc', and ever since I am proud to be reffered to by that name. Encouraged by the success of our events, we launched a promotional program. A number of reports and interviews were published about the Moonlight Program and silimar initiatives were undertaken across the country in Bátonyterenye, Bezenye, Dabas, Debrecen, Győr, Máriakálnok, Miskolc, Monor, Pécel, Pécs, Pilis, Rákoskeresztúr, Salgótarján, Szarvas, Tatabánya, Újpest etc. Naturally, not all of these communities operate permanent programs, but close to ninety percent are in regular contact thrrough MÉSE (Hungarian Assiciation of Midnight Championships)
| Acknowledgement
| The statement of Dr. Sándor Faragó
 From the start, our entire staff worked hard to find sponsor(s), but only Dr.Andrea Szolnoki, deputy-mayor of Budapest responsible for public health, supported the idea from the day of its inception. We approached many potential sponsors but found no favourable reception for quite some time. In fact, I wrote a number of proposals and occasionally we received some funds, but were unable to attract any major sponsors. However, after nearly five years of hardship, in 1998 things took a radical change for the better when weestablished contact with leaders and young members of the Berlin-based Sportjugendcentrum's KICK project. The reationship led to the first International Midnight Sports Championship. A few years later, the Ministry of Youth and Sports was the only department, that not only acknowledged the movement's achievements, but also demonstrated interest in our initiative and assured us of its support. Contrary to past experience, the Ministry went beyond mere promises and took our cause seriously; on June 22, 2001, in a formal setting we signed an agreement of support with Minister . With this step, the program of the Hungarian Association of Midnight Chamionships finally gained official recognition. Thanks to this support and assistance, existing clubs have strengthened and new bases were established int he capital and around the country. A series of Moonlight road-shows and cups have been organised, our newsletter "Hírpong" (Newspong) has been published and a new centre with all the required infrastructure was built in Szentendre.
| Achievements of the Moonlight Program
| The statement of Dr. Sándor Faragó:
Sad as the realisation may be, drug abuse has become trendy.  I believe that instead of speeches or counter propaganda, a harmful trend should be fought by developing a new fashion. And this is precisely the role the Moonlight Program wishes to fill. We have already managed to achieve that young people eagerly join us and wear our T-shirts with pride; membership in one of our groups has become terndy. I will never forget how proud our kids were wheninvited to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the destruction of the Berlin Wall, the Chancellor of Germany received us . I must add, the kids werebitten by the travel bug weeks before departure. I hired a German language teacher, the walls of our headquarters were covered with German conjugation rules and everyone was cramming grammar. Life is worth living for these moments of wonder. To sum up our achievements, all our Moonlight Clubs can be described as homes, family substitutes, meeting places, social sportsclubs and a movement with the objective of keeping kids away from wasting their lives ont he streets. The most important achievement is that weintroduced kids to a positive culture of recreation and they see themselves as part of a close-knit community. I wish to make it clear, however, that I could not have launched the program without the hard work and contribution of my colleagues. Our success is the result of teamwork and none of this could have been achieved without our major sponsors, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Municipality of Budapest and the local self-governments across the country.
| Moonlight League, Moonlight Centre
| The statement of Dr. Sándor Faragó:
We expanded our basic program with MOONLIGHT LEAGUE events. Organised into leagues, midnightnteams started to 'roam' around the county once a week (on Saturdays). Some clubs and participants are accompanied by large groups of fans. As a result, for severeal hundred young people, primarily from disadvantaged families, the monotony of their lives has been broken, while their general awareness and understanding of the country has improved. We created the ISMÉSE-MOONLIGHT CENTRE in Szentendre . Its infrastructure, fumishing and staff / Miss Ágnes Borsa, Mrs. Szimókné Anett Baranyai / provide a solid foundation for coordinating the national movement , organising events and hosting professional meetings and association conferences. Moonlight Centre also assists MÉSE in expanding itsinternational partnerships /between Berlin -Óbuda, Berlin-Pécs, as well as Debrecen-Carpatho-Ruthenia/. Finally we have a permanent base and office, where interested people, supporters, those in need of help and advice or potential sponsors can come and visit us. We also have warehouse facilities for the storage of gift items, various accessories, publications, T-shirts, jackets, amplifiers, speakers, iron safe, etc. Of the theree club sin the country, the oldest one dealing with the most disadvantaged children is in Salgótarján, receiving the highest level of assistance. It is led by Zoltán Szax. This, however, does not mean that the other two club sin Debrecen /led by Zoltán Jenei/ and Pécs /led by Tamás Goldmann / would not provide nationally recognised servisec. I am familiar with the work of all three Clubs and I have no doubt that they use the received funds in compliance with our contractual agreement. The two communities operating in the vicinity of the who smaller clubs /in Szarvas run by János Szenes, and in Máriakálnok run by József Savanyú/ are the only successful communities in their respective environment reaching their target groups. In both places, based ont he reports of the heads, funds are utilised as stipulated in our agreements. During the contract period, four new organisations have been set up. For some time they have all made unsuccessful attempts to establish clubs until MÉSE and ISM stepped in with their professional expertise and resources. As a result, new clubs with the required guarantees and conditions sprung up in Szentendre, Miskolc, Pécel, and Tatabánya. In Szentendre,following a drug scandal last spring, distressed citizens and co-operating officials not only managed to calm tempers, but have taken an active role in running programs on a voluntary basis.The local media has also proved to be an excellent partner. In the eight-year history of the movement I have never seenthis degree of co-operation among people with such diverse ideological backgrounds, putting aside occasional persinal differences -all working for the success of the Moonlight Program.
| | | Jörg Schönbohn, German Senator of Home Affairs
"The Moonlight Program offers children the opportunity to make a choice; instead of the street and drugs they can choose sports. I can only express words of admiration about this invaluable initiative. I can only hope that the Hungarian example will find followers in many countries across Europe. It is crucial that we protect our children and keep them away from dangerous addicitions, primarily from drugs and alcohol" | | | Ákos Topolánszky, Deputy State Secretary responsible for drug abuse
"We need many more grass-root intiatives becaus MÉSE (Hungarian Association of Midnight Championships), despite its high level of professionalism, is unable to seva the world on its own. I can only speak of the program in superlatives; it supports young people and offers them a place in a closeknit community". | | | János Árvai, social worker
"According to my experience, teh majority of the club members are emotionally vulnerable and oftencome from a trouble family background. On many occasions these kids do their homework right here. My life has gained a purpose since I feel can offer some help". | | | Frigyes Muncz, Lutheran pastor, highly active in launching the program
"We tired to understand these often emotionally scarred children and, fortunately, in most casses our efforts were rewarded. Nothing is alien to religion; it must embrace and encompass all aspects of life. I would like to emphasise that we have prevention program sin our clubs, but no one under the influence of drugs is admitted. It fils me with special satisfaction that young people have come to create their own community that goes well beyond nightly games". | | | Mihály Kupa, former Minister of Finance
"Sport is an important part of our lives. It keeps mind and body in good shape, be it pimg-pong, soccer or basketball. Sport promotes sobriety. It is wonderful to see the cohesion of groups evolging in these clubs. Thanks to this initiative, instead of roaming the streets animlessly, of roaming the streets aimlessly, kids live their lives caring for and respecting each other. The devotion and eagerness of Dr. Sándor Faragó and his team to help is exemplary and must be held up as model to be followed". | | | Zoltán Jenei, Calvinist pastor from Széchenyi-gardens, Debrecen
 "We are convinced that a community of friends bound by genuine affection is an attractive alternative to an addictive and self-destructive lifestyle. Thanks to god, our tireless efforts have been blessed by generous and valuable support from MÉSE and ISM".
| | | Ferenc Dénes, authority
"The moonlight or Moonlight, as you wish, is a wonderful thing. For we -although often hard for today's kids and teenagers to imagine- were once quite young ourselves, who on some nights wanted nothing more than 'just' to hang around, be happy enjoing the company of friends and loves under the moonlight. With his idea, this is precisely what Sándor Faragó, known to everyone as the Ping-Pong Doc, offers kids of the new millennium: good company, friends and the enjoyment of sport under the light of the moon. Without drugs, just as it is!" | | | Attila Kiss , studying to become a car-body mechanic, has been playing nightly ping-pong games for the past five years
"For me, ping-pong has become a real passion. Sport is an excellent discipline for the noble task of luring people, especially the young away from the world of drugs and alcohol. I was enriched by wonderful experiences and Ido not have the least regret to have joined the Ping-Pong Doc. Of Course, I may not hit the ball around the at thirty, but I might bring my children down here". | | | Sándor Fábry, comedian and showman, speaking after the midnight championship held at the Zoo
"A few days ago I read avery interesting article in an authoritative German daily and I came to the conclusion that we live in a thoroughly stupid world. However, if countries willbe led by young people like the ones playing ping-pong here, things could improve abit and we could alllook forward to a brighter future. If the Doc has managed to save a single kid from drugs or alcohol, he will not have lived in vain". | | | Krisztina, who spends almost all her weekends playing ping-pong
"I would wonder the streets for days, lie to everyone and, what I regret most to this day, stole money from my parents. However, since I've been coming to this club, my life has turned around. First it almost bothered me that here no one yelled at me or raised his/her voice, but you get used to good things fast. Everyone embraced me with open arms. I feel they care for me and pay attention to my problems. I found a new home here; the club is an oasis of peace and calm". | | | Moonlight Program Key Events | | | | 1996. Máriakálnok: | National Midnight Championship | | 1998. Budapest: | First International Midnight Championship | | 2000. Tököl: | New Year's ping-pong championship in Tököl, at the penitentiary for juvenile offenders | | June 2001. Budapest: | "Ping-Pong on Ice" , national road-show | | July 2001. Szarvas: | Moonlight-cup and Show | | August 2001. Budapest: | Moonlight-cup and Show, one week on Pepsi Island | | August 2001. Budapest: | Moonlight-cup and Show on Andrássy Avenue | | October 2001. Budapest: | Moonlight-cup and Show at the Zoo | | November 2001. Budapest: | Moonlight-cup and Show | | November 2001. Pécs | Moonlight-cupand Show at the Pécs Mall | | December 2001. Salgótarján: | Moonlight-cup (in memory of Ibolya Emődi, one of our young staff member from Salgótarján,who died in an automobile accident) | | December 2001. | Program launch at Miskolc, Pécel and Tatabánya | | December 2001. Szentendre: | Moonlight award-ceremony at Barcsay School Atc -to 2003 |
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dr. Faragó Sándor (pingpongdoki) 1945-2008
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