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The "Other" Soccer Tournament in Africa
Some of the boys wearing their new uniforms for the tournament.
Jun 16, 2010
NORTH AFRICA- The dazzling display of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa has captured the attention of the world, but in another dusty corner of Africa, with no fanfare at all, another tiny soccer tournament has made a group of young boys feel like they are world champions.
HISG worked with partners in North Africa to host a tournament for some of the vulnerable children in their city. The boys participating are victims of human traffickers, and have been brought to this urban center miles away from their homes to beg for coins on street corners. HISG has been involved in reaching out to these boys for several years, securing places for them in local schools, and reassuring them that their lives have value far beyond the small pile of coins they collect each day. The soccer tournament was another opportunity to show the children that even in their terrible circumstance, they are surrounded by friends who care about them.
This project was made possible by two businessmen in California who heard about the boys' condition and wanted to do something special for them. They donated new soccer jerseys for all the boys, and several new soccer balls. Then HISG connected them with volunteers from Phoenix that were traveling to North Africa and were able to hand-carry the equipment. Once the equipment arrived in Africa, our partners were able to put it to good use.
New soccer gear and a tournament may seem small when stacked next to the real problems in the lives of these boys, but you cannot imagine how they felt when they saw that people had come all the way from America to deliver new items just for them. HISG and our partners helped this group of marginalized children feel loved and celebrated. Almost as if they had won the World Cup itself.
You can get involved in projects just like this one! A few boxes of soccer equipment is a great start, and HISG can help connect you to a community where they will make a big impact. Contact us to find out how you can get involved.
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Humanitarian International Services Group | 870 Commercial Lane, Palmer Lake, CO 80133 Phone:(303) 662-0845 | HISG is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization
Humanitarian International Services Group | 870 Commercial Lane, Palmer Lake, CO 80133 Phone:(303) 662-0845 | HISG is a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization