Youth Soccer Development | My Life My Africa

Dear friends ? one of my biggest weaknesses is that with all the stuff that floats around in my head on a daily basis, I often fail to clearly communicate myself. This in itself is a contradiction, since I regularly criticize my own wife for thinking that I am able to read her thoughts without her vocalizing them. But then I do the same thing when it comes to the work I am engaged in and the Vision I serve. My apologies to my beautiful Wife and to you.

So this week, under the prompting of a dear friend ? Haroun ? I have decided to clarify exactly where my heart is. I trust that this would bring clarity to many areas and people, who I have neglected to communicate clearly with thus far.

Zandspruit Informal Settlement on the West Rand of Johannesburg has approximately 70?000 residents who live in abject poverty. Of this 70?000, approximately 10?000 are children. As it stands, there is only 1 Primary School, no High School, no Library, no Youth Centre or extra mural learning space, and no sports field or organized sports activity for the children and youth. The net effect of such neglect is that the Young People of the community are left to waste their time ?hanging out? on the streets, which are filled with all the wrong temptations ? gangs, drugs, alcohol, petty crime and sex in exchange for money/food. Educational levels are low with precious little support for the Youth to break out of their impoverished situation, and the emotional pain that is carried by all Youth ? most of whom come out of a broken home with no father ? is a huge weight preventing healthy growth.

Our Mission:

?Getting into the heart of impoverished and neglected African communities to facilitate and nurture the growth of an Extra-Mural Environment and Culture amongst the Young People, keeping them off the streets, steadily equipped, and intentionally guided towards a bright future.?

Breaking the deeply entrenched and destructive lifestyle patterns that are so prevalent, to introduce the Youth to alternative lifestyles that promote healing, unity, a focused life and healthy relationships is not as easy as one would imagine. The attractions of the streets are very strong and alternative methods need to be used to draw the children and youth off the streets into a safe arena for them to start sharing their struggles and pains, before moving them into areas of deeper equipping. To this end we have started the Singcono Masisonke (we?re better together) Football Club.

The purpose of the Club is to draw Children and Youth off the streets and onto the soccer field where they:

1. Train their physical bodies and burn off excess energy
2. Build positive relationships with their peers
3. Receive mentoring from elder peers within their community who serve as Volunteer? Leaders/Coaches
4. Are encouraged to further their educational, spiritual and emotional lives

The Football Club is used as the entry point for our work, and from here the Youth are guided into deeper areas of growth. Through the Football Club, in 24 months we have

• Gathered 101 children and youth aged 8 to 19, who we serve from Monday to Sunday
• Supported our first Grade 12 boy with 31 hours of private tuition, in support of his preparation for matric finals.
• Begun a weekly in-depth Youth Gathering of approximately 45 Teenagers to address the daily issues that plague the community
• Entered a team in the Rand Central League, with the promise of another 2 being entered in 2012
• Secured a partnership with the Panorama Sports Club, encouraging cross-cultural relationships and bridge-building.
• Played matches against Orlando Pirates and Wits FC, together with many matches against neighbouring schools and settlements.

There is no doubting the potential of the Youth to transform their context from within, and we fully support all ideas regarding skills development amongst the Youth and Children.

One thing I must highlight is how none of what we have achieved thus far has been possible without our partners.

1. Emthonjeni Community Centre????????? http://emthonjeni.com
2. Golang Education Outreach??????????????? http://golangoutreach.co.za
3. Panorama Sports Club???????? ? ? ? ? ? ?? ?? http://panoramasportsclub.com
4. Kingsway Christian School????????????????? http://kingsway.org.za
5. Build The Class of 2022????????????????????? http://2022.co.za

Each of them is older and more established than us, and we are greatly supported and encouraged by them as they lend their experience and facilities to us without prejudice. What is most encouraging through these partnerships is how we get a glimpse of a Vision far greater than what we are able to serve on our own, and ? together ? we all look forward to the day when the Children and Youth of Zandspruit are safe, secure, loved and well-equipped to revolutionize their community from the inside out.

The potential is huge, the reward is extremely gratifying as we see the light of transformation come over the faces of our Children and Youth, but we do recognize that ?it takes a whole village to raise a child?, and we remain continually open to new partnerships and ideas as we try to facilitate this transformational process.

Youth Development is the future of South Africa and we fully support the idea of a united movement across the country in this regard, as we all share our various skills and gifts to support each others work.

Should you feel compelled to get involved in any way at all, please do not hesitate to leave a comment here, or email info@mylifemyafrica.org

Thank you for taking the time to follow us through this blog. If you have not already done so, please would you check out the ?Options to Subscribe? on the right of the screen. And May you continue to be blessed as you bless others.

With love and appreciation,

Philen
on behalf of the My Life My Africa Children?s Foundation

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A spiritual being on a human journey who has been following a call to pursue "Real Africa" since April 2000. This Journey has taken me to incredible places and through wonderful experiences over the past decade, and my book about it all is set for release at the end of 2011 or early in 2012.

Source: http://thebook.mylifemyafrica.org/youth-soccer-development/

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