Goal! Soccer for a Better Future, documentary.

Goal! Soccer for a Better Future, is a 26-minute documentary film created by the United States State department in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The film tells the story of how six NGOs (GRS included) use the spirit of athletics to engage and empower disadvantaged youth in Brazil, South Africa and the United States.

The film examines athletes challenges in their communities and explores the game of soccer as an effective tool in life skills training. Thematic segments include respect, tolerance, diversity, gender equality, teamwork and opportunity. Check it out:



part 2:



part 3:

GRS placement

I am happy to announce that I will be based in the south-east part of South Africa in the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. A coastal city that is home to the Nelson Mandela bay stadium which is hosting some of the current World Cup games!

Among other initiatives, Grassroot Soccer works with primary schools in Port Elizabeth. They target children from disadvantaged backgrounds whose daily lives include dealing with family problems, usually related to HIV/AIDS and abuse.

I will be a Programs Intern, helping the organization plan and implement various programs benefiting youths. I imagine there will be some evaluation of programs too as part of my job description.

This is an engaging, dynamic position within Grassroot Soccer South Africa’s Port Elizabeth Programs team. I will be reporting to the Port Elizabeth and Regional Program Coordinator.

I want to thank you for supporting my cause and once again, please visit my fund raising page here, every single donation counts!

All the very best!

June 16

Check out my blog post on Youth Day in South Africa at my other blog, Political Football.
Good luck to South Africa against Uruguay tomorrow!

UPDATE: Article on the World Cup mascot, Zakumi celebrating Youth Day with South African youths, in an initiative run by Grassroot Soccer.

Spotlight South Africa!

GRS has been receiving more attention with the World Cup coming to Africa for the first time ever! Here's an article from USA Today.

***Thank you for visiting my blog. Please help me in my quest to help Grassroot Soccer do the important work it does by supporting my internship fund raising effort here. Thanks for all your help, and feel free to spread the word!

GRS and the World Cup

Check out the new Grassroot Soccer World Cup blog here.

They showcase the beginning of an innovative partnership between GRS and international philanthropist Bobby Sager’s “Hope is a Game-Changer” project which will provide thousands of indestructible soccer balls for use in programming across Africa.

Check it out!



The Football for Hope center in Khayelitsha was featured on Goal.com, 6 months ago!

***Thank you for visiting my blog. Please help me in my quest to help Grassroot Soccer do the important work it does by supporting my internship fund raising effort here. Thanks for all your help, and feel free to spread the word!

World Cup 2010 legacy

In the following video the work of FIFA in Africa is highlighted, with Grassroot Soccer featuring at the end of the video. They realize the role football can have in improving the lives of those at risk of diseases such as HIV and AIDS.

Making a real difference

According to the Grassroot Soccer site, the organization has educated over 200,000 young African youths. Measuring the true results of the educational programs can be tricky, considering the fickleness of human nature at times.

However an independent study (done in Zimbabwe by the Children's Health Council) found the following concerning the Grassroot Soccer Skillz curriculum:

* The percentage of students who could list three people they could talk to about HIV increased from 33% to 72%
* The percentage of students who knew where to go for help for HIV related problems increased from 47 to 76%
* The percentage of students who said they would feel comfortable providing emotional support for an HIV positive classmate increased from 52% to 73%
* The percentage of students who believed condoms were effective increased from 49% to 71%

(Source Children’s Health Council, 2004 Evaluation)

The impact of AIDS in Africa

Documentary photogrtapher Kristen Ashburn highlights the impact of AIDS in Africa.



Video courtesy of TED.com one of my favorite websites!