FCL Coach makes Global Impact
No shoes, no goals, no problem! I quickly learned how little equipment is really necessary to play soccer while I was in Granada, Nicaragua. While the kids there rarely have appropriate footwear, the availability of balls is scarce, and goals are without nets, the enthusiasm is everywhere. During the week of January 9th, 2010, I was able to volunteer with Soccer Without Borders (or Fútbol Sin Fronteras as it is known there), a non-profit organization whose mission is to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change in the lives of marginalized youth. The Nicaragua site is geared towards empowering girls through soccer opportunities and life-skills education to meet their potential personally, athletically and in their communities.
Since the kids were on their holiday break they were free to participate in a week long camp. In the mornings we met the campers at the soccer field (which was without grass, let alone lines) and worked on technical aspects of the game such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. In the afternoons the girls came to the Soccer Without Borders office and were assigned tasks that emphasized teamwork and confidence building. Some of the activities included scavenger hunts, creating and performing dances, and creating a mural illustrating their favorite parts of camp.
While I was there to coach and teach the girls, I ended up learning a lot from them. The girls were open to new experiences and truly appreciated the opportunity to play a game that some of us may take for granted. Their acceptance of the 20 American volunteers was unconditional despite race, age, or language. All I had to do was say hello and smile and girls would grab my hand, hug me, or ask for a piggyback ride. If I left half the impression on them that they left on me I would definitely consider it a successful trip!
If you are interested in learning more about Soccer Without Borders please visit www.soccerwithoutborders.org or email me at karima@soccerwithoutborders.org.
