PeacePassers is proud to offer thanks to Michelle Jenkins (Charlotte, NC) for her connection on the recent trip to Nairobi, Kenya. Michelle served as a member of a mission team that traveled to Kenya to work with kids in the orphanage at the Jubilee Children’s Center (http://www.kenyaorphanageproject.org) Upon her return, she reflected on the experience:
“We handed out the PeacePassers soccer uniforms and equipment two days before we left the orphanage (b/c it rained every day). That entire week we never saw the boys play and wondered if they knew how. Of course they did! (and they were awesome at it) but it almost seemed like they needed something to unify them to get them out there playing. And when we handed out the beautiful jerseys- the boys came from every corner of the school to come out and play.”
“I elected two of the older boys to be captains and organize the teams. By surprise they chose team members the fairest way possible - count off 1,2,1,2. They were very proud of their uniforms and really enjoyed posing for the “team” pictures.”
“It was an awesome sight seeing them play all together and the younger kids on the sidelines enjoying the game. It’s really not very often they get gifts such as these and we left knowing they would take good care of the uniforms & equipment and get some great use out of them.
So with all that being said - I say to you PeacePassers- a big big thank you!!”– Michelle Jenkins
Peace Passers Caleb and Decker put on a soccer clinic at Casa Atarraya (El Salvador) for the kids of the school’s soccer program along with donating some soccer gear and equipment. We’ve posted the action in the videos below.
PeacePassers would like to thank Jenn Hamilton and her family for their support in El Salvador. Jenn lives in El Salvador and is currently working with children and adolescents at risk of street violence, gang involvement, and extreme poverty through the sport of soccer. At this time the program has a participating population of 50-70 boys and girls who she coaches along with volunteers from the local community. Their goal is to use the sport of soccer as a safe haven and form of expression for children who are constantly reminded of the circumstances they come from. They train in a field cleared by hand, using bamboo sticks as goal posts, a majority of the athletes train in bare feet, but the passion for the sport and for change has known no boundaries with the children and youth. Now instead of joining the notorious MS-13 gang, the youth of the area have turned their energies into something constructive. The locals involved in this program train to participate in the INDES soccer tournaments of El Salvador.
Also as a first of the area, Jenn is encouraging girls to join the program, and is one of the only teams in the city who offers coaching to female athletes. Coop and Deck had the opportunity to support these efforts by donating much needed gear to this organization. They also were able to engage with the locals and help run a practice.
“I am so proud of the (the U-13 team) as they wore the uniforms you guys donated. All the cleats were also used, so thank you so very much for stopping by and helping out. The children here felt really special and cared for during the practice and they wanted me to tell you that.” –
Peace Passers would like to extend many thanks and appreciation to Suzanna (Ian Guthries Cousin) whose hospitality in Guatemala city was tremendous. We couldn’t have experienced what we did without her. Muchas Gracias!
deck and i made our way down the coast of mexico to a small coastal town called pascuales. there we met with some locals and talked about surfing and playing soccer. we asked if there was anyone around that needed soccer equipment that could really use it. immediately the response was yes, just outside of town a small village that was very poor but had a soccer field and lots of people to play. we were then taken to the village and the town{s team was practicing. we pulled out two sets of uniforms and a few balls. the smiles going around were plentiful. we then strapped our boots on and played a game. the age level went from 7 to 49 with girls and guys playing. everyone was laughing and having a great time. it was truly one of the best moments for the peace passers team and our supporters.
boca de rio
another day later and we{re lost in mexico….again. it{s getting dark and we´re looking for a place to set up camp. we finally find the town we{re looking for and ask a local if it{s okay to camp on the beach, he says yes and points to the corner of the beach. i ask if it{s okay to drive on the beach and assures me it is. the 4×4 truck we{re driving surely won{t get stuck right…wrong. the weight of the back of the truck is extremely heavng with equipment and soccer gear and we find ourselves buried with the tide still coming in. 10 minutes later the water is hitting the side of the truck and the locals are all around us laughing and pointing at the stupid gringos who are about to lose their house-vehicle. i ask if anyone has a truck that can help and one of the kids says he knows someone. a few minutes later after digging like a mad man and locals pushing trying to help we{re still stuck and the water is rushing in. the kid returns and says we will have to pay him to get pulled out. i tell him that i have no money. solamente zapatos y balones. only shoes and soccer balls. he nods and waves his father over. we get yanked out and a hugh sigh of relief comes out. i then give the man who pulled us out a bag of soccer shoes and balls. peace passers .
Peace Passers Caleb Cooper and Steven Decker show you the collection of Soccer gear and equipment that they will distribute to the kids during the Peace Passer Central American Passage 2008.
