The Island of Violent Basketball

[@RareEarthSeries]

Please send any and all donations of gear to: Terry Lorok Jr, P.O. Box 5288 Kwajalein MH 96970 ([e-mail])

[@nmpls]

If someone choses to donate from the US, it should be noted that despite being a technically an international destination, the pricing for USPS ground advantage (but nothing faster) is priced the same as sending within the US. I think you can also ship a slightly larger box (up to 36in square). This should save a lot of money v. UPS/Fedex/DHL.

[@hndrwn]

will the abundance of basketball and court will make school lose its only reason for schooling? Should we think more about extra thing for making school better?

[@suddenrushsarge]

@@hndrwn Nope. Just send jerseys and make kids happy.

[@pettittm]

This is an excellent point. As the zip code in the mailing address indicates, you can mail anything that can be mailed to anywhere in the Marshall Islands at USA domestic postal rates.

[@robmanueb.]

@@hndrwn Sounds like the schools will get first pick.

[@MandibleBones]

3 balls and a ball-bag on their way. First time I've purchased sports supplies in 20 years that wasn't LARP-related. This is, of course, Rare Earth.

[@RareEarthSeries]

You have my genuine, sincere thanks.

[@kwisin1337]

Well done!

[@OctopusOwl]

Geeks supporting other peoples dreams is truly paying it forward.

[@robertmarmaduke9721]

We designed the Ebeye Community Sports Center on my tour in 2000 but never got to see it.

[@miguelcorona6958]

Good man

[@SephBane]

This didn't feel like a throwaway episode to me at all. It felt right inline with everything else, a rare insight into the lives and conditions of people we will probably never meet and a land we will probably never visit. Stories about the earth and those who inhabit it. Keep it up, your videos are amazing.

[@PlatinumAltaria]

THIS is Rare Earth.

[@NirrumTheMad]

I came down to type this. This is just a rare earth episode, not a throwaway at all. I was pleased to find it was the top comment

[@Char12403]

Honestly enjoyed this episode the most of this season

[@dawnelink9377]

I lived there, and if you go, you will never regret it!

[@shayd1]

We need to harass John Oliver. He'd definitely throw 500k of HBO's money at basketball infrastructure for a 60 second bit.

[@Stinger913]

Would be kinda based if he covered it and he did if he’s willing to pony up a mill for a Supreme Court justice who’ll never take the deal, maybe half of it could go to ACTUALLY affecting REAL change

[@SocietalDefibrilation]

@@Stinger913he would argue that he can sell it at a fundraiser for more cash and I would argue that the people at the fundraiser are the problem...probably

[@john_michael_white]

Sometimes I can feel myself getting a little emotional at "This is Rare Earth". This was one. Wonderful video, and I hope this gets the response it, and those kids, deserve.

[@thejacqofalltrades8804]

I taught on this island for 2 years. This episode really took me back. Thanks for highlighting Ebeye and bringing awareness to the needs there.

[@leodler]

I feel like a lot of the larger basketball equipment companies would also donate some things if they were made aware of the situation in the Marshall Islands and how integral it is in the children's lives there.

[@JoATTech]

Sadly they will do it only as a PR stunt ...

[@leodler]

@@JoATTech While that's definitely true, the kids probably wouldn't mind and it would be exceptionally good PR. I imagine a lot of NBA players would help out if they saw the video as well.

[@JoATTech]

@@leodler So maybe someone can shout out this video to them via X, instagram or whatever application is used by them now (I do not use these).

[@JoATTech]

@@davidmontgomery1442 I'm not saying it's bad, but they should help them ages ago, they just do not care. They will bring up excels and calculate what scenario will be the best for them. It's the people in comment section who care. But if any of the greedy corpos will help I'm glad. I'm just stating they are not doing that from their good hearts. It will be just purely based on their greed (how much more they can make based on the move). Anyway hope they will be soon some NBA stars from Marshall Islands :D.

[@OllamhDrab]

@@leodler And a lot of them and their teams could afford to do more than *that,* as well.

[@ErikNilsen1337]

My church has had an enormous kids' basketball ministry for the last few decades. I'm forwarding this to the people in charge of that. I imagine we have some extra equipment and uniforms collected over the years.

[@RareEarthSeries]

That would be amazing. Thank you!

[@ErikNilsen1337]

@@RareEarthSeries Just got a response. “We don’t have much extra. BUT!! Next season, maybe we can put together some sort of plan together, ask for donations and send the island a package..”

[@RareEarthSeries]

@@ErikNilsen1337 Pardon the pun, but you're a godsend Erik. This season or next, the need will never change. Thank you, sincerely.

[@ErikNilsen1337]

@@RareEarthSeries You’re very welcome. I’ve enjoyed watching your videos for a long time, and they have definitely played a part in my decision to pursue missionary work, for which I am currently training. I also grew up at a church that _loves_ basketball. One of the first buildings built was a gym specifically for the purpose of letting people from the community use it. Our first pastor played pickup ball every week until he died on the court (sudden heart failure). My dad enrolled me in the kids’ basketball programs every year from 2nd-8th grade (mostly to get me out of the house), and I was shown love by people who took the time to coach kids for several hours per week. This video in particular pricked my heart deeply.

[@ErikNilsen1337]

@@RareEarthSeries Minor update: I also sent this video to my uncle, who coaches club basketball for high school boys. He's excited about it. He plans to forward the video to his team so they can collect their old uniforms and balls to send. I also bought a few things I plan to send later this week.

[@LB-vf2hm]

You call it a throwaway episode, but stuff like this really is the heart of being human

[@andrewhawkins6754]

Sent 'em 50 handballs/stickballs. Hopefully they get some enjoyment out of those.

[@RareEarthSeries]

That's extremely generous of you. Thank you.

[@andrewhawkins6754]

@@RareEarthSeriesIt doesn't cost all that much to do and Amazon ships there. Made actually giving pretty easy.

[@CaptPike787]

It would be great to see a follow up episode in six months! Nice job Ev.

[@AbdiAalen]

Love your programs and i tried to donate from all the way Somaliland

[@FayeHunter]

Side quest added: Gather basketball equipment for Rebel John.

[@GizzyDillespee]

Holy moly, Rebel John is about to get inundated by a tsunami of basketball paraphernelia! Folks who will send stuff... you saw the dump in the videos... so, try to minimize the single-use, non-burnable (or toxic when burned) packing materials in your shipment.

[@RareEarthSeries]

I wish that were the case, but in my experience out of 100k views we'll probably see 5 maybe 6 people donate. Which, speaking frankly, I'd be thrilled about. Even one would make me happy.

[@michaelsills8038]

​@@RareEarthSeries Sadly that is also the case in my experience, everyone thinks that someone else will do it. I have become quite aggressive in my pursuit of donations from my friends and family for that reason. I am in Guatemala building houses for the Mayan people right now. I'm also a big basketball fan. I'll definitely make my way out to the Marshalls sometime next year to play / help out. Also, your videos are my favorite on the platform. I love the style.

[@JenPurplePen]

​@michaelsills8038 please drop me yr contact info. Mine is turtlegal9 at AOL. I would like to send a monetary donation to Guatemala house building

[@xbxhunter]

@@RareEarthSeries if I were a betting man i'd say they are going to get a lot of basketballs 😉

[@Reign_In_Blood_963]

this needs to be stickied.

[@KeegoTheWise]

i'm as impressed by the algorithm-savvy decision to release this at the start of march madness as i am by those kids' willingness to play the game like bill laimbeer

[@stephenlane7676]

I just moved to a new town recently and don't know much about my neighbors yet, but I do know the guy across the street coaches the local school basketball teams. I'll make sure to tell him about this next time I see him. Thanks for changing the world Evan. We need more of you!

[@frog8220]

inb4 this island is flooded with basketballs thanks to Evan asking the world to drop their basketballs on it.

[@cataclysmicnothing]

30 years from now: The Submerged Island that Floats on Basketballs

[@worawatli8952]

@@cataclysmicnothing Or this might turned into a sport complex of some sorts where pro-athletes gathered, there's nothing to do but train.

[@Lora-G]

Now let's send arts and crafts supplies for kids unable to play ball🎉

[@ColeRees]

By far my favorite channel on KZbin at this moment. Thank you for doing what you do. Documenting the history of places that will be gone forever soon is unbelievably noble. ❤

[@mooshroom53]

We love you everyone on the rare earth team!!! xoxo from Oakland

[@bobchannell3553]

This isn't a throw away episode. It's great. My attention didn't wonder at al while listening to it. Thank you for your hard work making these videos.

[@feidry]

Can we like, start a crowdfund to buy these kids a bunch of basketball equipment?

[@RareEarthSeries]

I was under the impression that's what this video had done.

[@leodler]

I really would love to do something like that, I don't have the cash on hand to do all that much by myself but organizing a larger shipment would probably be quite cost effective (and more people would be able to donate)

[@RareEarthSeries]

I personally never trust pools of money, as they breed bad behaviour, so I always opt for direct donation. They don't need to be large, even a single used jersey is a blessing. But if someone sets something up that could be somehow transparent I'd certainly link to it.

[@FreedomJane-bx4um]

​@@RareEarthSeriesI was going to say something about corruption, looks like you said it better than I would have.

[@FunkyAve69]

How is the NBA not aware if this? This looks like a natural talent pool?!?!!

[@WitenIaman]

Hey there my brother saw this video & cried bcus not everybody knows or ever been Ebeye to ebeye & seeing you showing the way we live touched my heart! Showing love from the marshallese community brother! youve earn yourself a subscriber! Once again from the bottom of my heart and from all the marshallese community we wanna Thank you for visiting and showing the island not even single ine of the NBA players know or ever visited! So Thank you again brother. You are so welcomed to ebeye whenever youd like to visit! IAKWEEEEE!!!

[@tiobetio9501]

You're my favourite Canadian KZbinr who's the son of an astronaut. But also my favourite KZbinr.

[@Davefromcanada411]

Wow. I love all your content but this is next level. Not throw away in any sense of the word. THIS is why I became a Patreon Sponser.. THIS content is value I get and pays back my small donation back in such a huge way.

[@1950sAmericanFather]

Man has it figured out. Spends his time in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Makes some KZbin money. Helps raise awareness. Gives back to the locals. The Hadfield's are good folks!

[@atatterson6992]

Is there a place we can see the speadsheet?

[@dodgermaven]

I'm going do donate for sure. Thanks for the idea, Evan, what a great use of your platform...

[@chuckygobyebye]

I'm always stunned by the humanity of your videos. The ones about the kids get me the most. They are the ones that really make me want to make a difference. Keep at it.

[@tobiasfox3714]

It is always great to see that you uploaded again! Whenever I tell friends that I watch this guy on youtube that travels the world and makes videos of it, I feel like promoting one of those standard travel youtubers... But when I get them to watch one of your videos they get that this channel is different. Make sure to notify me when you end up Germany one day!

[@jeremy2452]

Another awesome Rare Earth video covering the Marshalls! Glad you're bringing these issues to those who don't know much about the Marshalls. Much appreciation!! 5:29 - the two boys are wearing homemade baseball gloves made from cardboard boxes... of course they're not playing with a real hardball, but the kids version of baseball here, is played with said boxes, a tennis ball and any stick good enough to look like a bat (sometimes even a small piece of plywood).

[@jamesonpace726]

Man, you've done sad before, but this is the saddest. Ain't Uncle Sam the best....

[@nooneyouknow9399]

The Marshallese are our landlords. Where does that money go? Into the hands of a few who move to Hawaii.

[@Davivd2]

You should see what happened to the natives of the Bikini Islands. How they were used for nuclear testing. Told to live on a radioactive island so that their deteriorating health could be monitored. They were guinea pigs and Green Peace had to mount a rescue operation to transplant them to a safer island. Now those natives have a horrible thyroid cancer rate and give birth to "jellyfish" babies. Children whose DNA is so damaged by radiation that they don't even have usable bone structures.

[@piedpiper1172]

@@nooneyouknow9399Even if that is 100% the case with no pesky nuance or confounding factors: We could run direct outreach programs at truly minuscule costs as an add-on to what ever our “lease” “costs.” 80-100 primary educators-people we already have federal programs set up to help with debt and employment, something it wouldn’t take much to expand for this-would provide roughly the same number of primary level educators per capita as we have in the United States. We could just straight up solve their educator shortage for a minuscule portion of the existing allocated area budget. Similarly, we could basically just give away proper basketball hoops. Even if all we did was offer literally just the hoop with a net and mounting screws, the cost would again be tiny. 15,000 people is so few people. We still classify places as “towns” when they have 3 times that many people. Truly tiny amounts of money goes such a long way in areas like this.

[@naominekomimi]

I am a student and do not have the means to donate, but I will share this video with people who might. Thank you for doing the work you do.

[@HeliophobicRiverman]

Violent basketball can be great fun. Back when I was a teenager, I was in a karate class at school, we used to warm up with "karate-ball" which was rudimentary basketball with a liberal amount of violence. Tackling, pulling, tripping, ramming, wrestling, all good. I think we weren't supposed to punch each other but elbows did connect with noses now and then.

[@kalrandom7387]

We called it gorilla ball back in late 70's early 80's.

[@Davivd2]

@@kalrandom7387We called it Jungle Ball. The basketball version of smear the queer.

[@RenayEmond]

Well Done Evan & Kata❤Thank you for your SACRIFICES, LOVE & ENLIGHTENMENT 🙏 YOU'RE making the World a Better place for Us All!

[@kwisin1337]

You are a true hero! Without you, I'd never hear a story so well told.

[@nochepatada]

This was the first time dude was the tallest player on a basketball court 😂

[@cophezzeslangin2794]

I got paid today. I’m in for 10 nets and 10 hoops. Someone buy nuts and bolts.

[@jasond8734]

Not a throw away episode at all. One of your best.

[@talanigreywolf7110]

What size court shoes tho? I work at a thrift store and see many nice shoes come through and am sure sending a few their way will be fine.

[@RareEarthSeries]

I am certain no matter what you send, no matter the size, there are people aching for it there.

[@CapitulationTrader]

@RareEarthSeries bro and channel. You cannot publish a ‘throw away’ video any more. There are too many of us who respect and listen earnestly to your work. Do not underestimate the work you have done and are yet to do. You are earnest, honest, and transparent. We see it and love it. You have millions of people who will never get to do and see and learn what you have. However, with the power of this channel, we can walk alongside and share in your journey and knowledge. Sincerely, thank you and please keep reporting the good, the bad, and the beautiful. Cheers brother(s and sisters)

[@Davivd2]

One of your best episodes ever.

[@Anomic-mo9ji]

Where you at Shaq? These kids could use shoes

[@daverobinder8730]

5 basketballs and a pump sent using Amazon. Wish I could have sent a backboard, but they won't ship those there. Thanks for the episode.

[@rolfs2165]

I wonder, what do Ebeye kids answer when you ask them what they'd like to do when they're grown up, what job they'd like to have? Or is that question just completely alien to them? Also, I'd be interested in a video about what the young girls of Ebeye do they're not at school. Do/can they even go to school?

[@NeilWard-c8m]

A co-worker of mine once did an archaeological survey on Tinian. He said the volleyball games there were the most ferocious he had ever encountered.

[@theavera9ejoe]

Elbows high, kids. Elbows high.

[@joshsalwen]

Watched on patreon, watching again here. I’ll forward to local CYO Basketball

[@sludgerat444]

A lot to learn from these kids. You can have fun even with trash. We are truly spoiled.

[@RandmOutdoorz]

Love it! Thanks for sharing.

[@Mael01369]

Thank you!

[@jimmysmith8231]

This has been noted a couple of times but it appears that Amazon is your best bet if you want to send something to the Marshall Islands. I went to four manufacturers in China for balls - the balls were amazingly inexpensive for what you get but the shipping costs to the Marshall Islands is prohibitively expensive - about $20 per ball was the best quote I could get plus the ball cost was around $25 per ball. I then went through Amazon and got 25 basketballs (for half price) shipped for approximately $25 - or about $1 per ball plus the ball so I paid about $11 per ball. The shipping cost was a bit more for one ball - I think it was $13 for one ball but it only went up by $1 for ever two extra balls. It’s so easy to send a couple of balls - just do it and let’s see if we can get 100+ balls there - we already have at least 28 there by mid-April.

[@andynz7]

This is probably my favourite video you've made

[@forme3h]

Hello everyone! For those who’s wondering where are on is this place? Well it is in the Marshall Islands, situated between Hawaii and Australia, 4-5hrs flight from Honolulu. And the history of the island is very sad. You see, this is the island where the US military relocated its native to build a military base few miles away from Ebeye. This island became so crowded since the US Military relocated them from their main, big island, Kwajalein. In despite of it all, the people find the silver lining of their situation. They make shift everything especially, as u can see, basketball courts. Basketball is so big in the country, they all know the rules of the game and they all know every single NBA teams and their players. This video is very informative, beautifully done but these kids know the rules of the game. lol

[@cggc9510]

Is anyone else seeing that giant pile of plastic in the dump and wanting to collect the bottles for returnables?

[@jakegarvin7634]

This movie makes me think about the cargo cults

[@jarezlem]

make the videos you wanna make because this was great and really resonated with me

[@BrandanLee]

This is also the perfect place for a whole pallet of old Xboxs, TVs, and couch coop games. But Nets, Balls, Pumps -- doable. Don't forget the girls too. I wonder if DoD could be convinced to cover logistics... Any Lts want to toe a line?

[@ilikefrogsqqq]

this man has a big harte and knows how to help people my sir you are GOATED if u find a way to fallow trough

[@kalrandom7387]

Video games??? WTF dude, do you want them to be overweight like most American kids? Kids need outdoor stuff to do!

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

Not sure Xbox is a good option, both in terms of waste, maintenance, electricity, and access to games and controllers... Physical games are far easier and resistent.

[@RareEarthSeries]

This isn't an island with a great deal of electricity, televisions, or free space indoors. Generally speaking, it's better to offer items that don't require infrastructure to play with. That said, I'm not here to stand in the way of any donations. I'm sure they'd find a way to enjoy them.

[@jessemays9427]

They need water polo, there's more room for it.

[@bradfox7997]

Hey Evan, lovely video as always! Can't stop comparing them to the Syrian taekwondo, both are a means of escape and hope to some extent. I have a few ideas, what's the best way to get in touch with you?

[@gdttdeggegdh5471]

I can't call this a throwaway episode by any metric. This video shows us human experience. It tells us about the life on one island out of the many that form Marshall islands, which most of us will never visit, and some have never even heard about. We get to see this interesting place and its people. Kids playing basketball not in the gym, not in the outside court of their school after class, not in a club, but just there. Anywhere that fits. Anywhere you can affix a circle at 2 meters high. Sometimes that circle even has a net. And the kids are having fun. They're passing time the best way they know. Living life, making do in their own unique way. If that's not Rare Earth, then what is?

[@pinoygal6232]

What else do you do on a paved island with no surf and a polluted bay?

[@hindosgottenberg237]

While you see a few girls shoot some hoops in this video, is basketball 🏀also brining them to the schools or something else?

[@RareEarthSeries]

Yes, it does, as well as volleyball, but if you imagine the reality of me walking around filming I'm sure you can understand why the video contains fewer girls.

[@Reaperman4711]

thanks was about to ask what the girls did. I did see the volleyball in one of the shots. Kids outdoors--that's something I don't see much these days.

[@amberservold2187]

Now THAT is RARE EARTH!!

[@arnedriessen1262]

14 balls of various sizes (I noticed they might have use for some kids' sizes as well) + bags + pump kits on their way. Nice video, feels good to contribute.

[@ChardOfMight]

4:15 interesting that you chose (were told?) to blur the base even from that distance. the mighty american fortress lol

[@ofafarodgers9484]

I can only help on assisting him with the service sir. Good job out there

[@Bob-fj7lr]

Played some pickup with just some angry ball hogs this week and it's been happening a lot and this was nice

[@scpatl4now]

Hmmm...I am wondering how long it would take to set up a charity so that people could hit up gyms for their used/surplus equipment and give them a tax deduction incentive to donate...the wheels are turning. I'm going to look into that

[@IIXXIIXX]

Just placed an Amazon order for 12 off brand and 2 Wilson regulation balls to be shipped to Terry directly. Should be there early April.

[@RJFP67]

Sewage treatment, water , and food are hard to come by.

[@jeffmagic32]

We called that style "Dominican rules" when I was a kid

[@justinnowicki-jm9wd]

Im out here for work and met TJ today he is a council member in ebeye. I brought out 12 basketballs to him today . He is super greatful for the stuff he is getting.

[@TimChuma]

International postage rates would dwarf the cost of the actual goods being sent. Might need to use a remailer to ship to an address and then ship out in one box.

[@RareEarthSeries]

From the US you can ship via USPS, and they consider it within the continental US borders, significantly lowering costs. Not much I can do from outside of there, however.

[@RyanBile]

This was no they're away episode. This hit me right where it counts. The last one was good don't don't get me wrong but, this one tears.

[@joevip76]

True story, back in the early and to late 80s we used to spar for fun, Italians, Home Games is analogous, as if that was a recollection my youth, and so many others, if anything we have to stand together to break this vicious cycle, Thanks and God bless the world 🌎 Humanity will be great again, it all starts with- IAKWE -.

[@moecantileverjr]

This is Rare Earth.

[@christineharris2302]

I think this is a wonderful idea of you doing this.

[@gd3551]

I love Rare Earth

[@Chaosrunepownage]

I used to have a glow-in-the-dark net, but it got eaten by squirrels. I would so want to figure out a way to ship it over if I could!

[@andyupsidedown]

I didn't feel like it was a throw away episode at all

[@stateradio115]

i love shit like this. amazing video

[@albertkorab6249]

Brother view of the game i remember from 90s Le Enne or O U T 😅 most majoles knows this game Komol for sharing

[@AngryKittens]

I was expecting the Philippines. Haha. Almost exactly the same situation in the smaller islands.

[@stevebrown8163]

Thank you

[@Goofy_4321]

Used whatever works just to enjoy a good game of basketball.

[@magneto44]

this might be the most wholesome comment section on all of KZbin ❤

[@bahalytsports7049]

Their Basketball Passion was like our country, Philippines. We're children finds a way to play basketball. Hope They'll Qualify in FIBA Someday just like the Philippines.

[@OrlandoGustar]

When you said " ...they play more basketball here than any place in the world..." It's when I found out you've never been to the Philippines.

[@RareEarthSeries]

I've been to the Philippines and the comparison isn't even close.

[@robertotampioc7318]

He’s right… Philippines is way bigger than Marshall Island… so it’s fact that space per capita for basketball is legit…

[@SamJDaGreat]

A lot of Hoopers back home, I’m just praying that one day, One of our own can go pro and Bring in new opportunities for our kids

[@killercaos123]

This feels like it would be a hugely positive PR move for some famous NBA player or business person to throw some free jerseys, equipment or whatever at this place to make their life better

[@fetlix]

Well, this episode made my weekend

[@acid5119]

Unfortunately I’m from Germany where basketball isn’t popular at all. But I would love to contribute to the community there with my own work or money. Is there any chance I could apply to work as a volunteer teacher?

[@RareEarthSeries]

I'm not sure, but the schools wrote me back rather instantly when I reached out.

[@Jack_Middleton.myroadtothetop.]

Hey mate! You need to go to regional Western Australia to see the talent in basketball and Australian rules football. There is so much talent that gets unrecognized because of poverty.

[@karlharvymarx2650]

It seems like some wealthy professional basketball player could really sink their teeth into making Ebeye a personal project. I think it is a safe bet to say they'll have have enough equipment very soon. But maybe the right player or team could find more ways to improve lives there.

[@RareEarthSeries]

I think that the NBA would be very cautious to engage with Ebeye, as it is extremely hard to tell the story of the island and leave the US military looking like the good guy. Generally speaking, sports teams don't denigrate the military.

[@zeparthe16thspiritofarsgoe15]

The most basketball rings The Philippines: 😒 yeah right...

[@stenchofjustice]

great episode!

[@TOMuirhead]

My son is there currently and probably plays basketball with some of these kids.

[@akila219]

We bet on a bag of ice when I was young in the Philippines playing basketball barefoot under a hot scorching sun. The older guys get to play later when it’s not too hot anymore.

[@einCAA]

Sadly shipping (from europe) is more expensive then the ball itself.

[@MrArron4]

Amazon if you can.

[@jenniferbreaux7385]

This is heartbreaking

[@Retrograde_cat]

I think they're onto something. I don't generally care for sports, but I'd pay to see a professional game of rock-ball. With plenty of protective gear, of course.