One Giant Leap for Youth Soccer

Posted on September 29, 2011 by Philen

It started with 14 teenage and preteen boys, 1 soccer ball, a local pastor with a passion for community development, and 2 Grade-12 failures in their early twenties, who were wasting their lives away on the streets of an informal settlement.
Read on to see how INCREDIBLY this has developed since August 2009.

In 2011 the Panorama Football Club – under the leadership of Chairperson Karen Keylock – partnered with the My Life My Africa Children’s Foundation to adopt our Zandspruit Youth Development’s Under 17 Soccer Team. It was always a dream for our Youth Soccer boys to play in a league, but the costs associated with entering the league together with a lack of facilities kept this dream far from being a reality. Thanks to Panorama, in 2011 our Under 17 team was entered into the Rand Central League Football Association U-17 First Division, and they were offered Panorama facilities as their ‘Home Ground’, together with sponsored kit.

However, the great blessing was immediately overshadowed by the daunting prospect of it all. Our ‘Boys’ have only ever experienced life in the horribly neglected and impoverished community of Zandspruit. This means that most of them

  • come from broken homes
  • have access to pitiful education
  • have limited access to clean water, sanitation and electricity
  • survive on a single meal per day
  • have no access to a proper Sports Ground
  • have no kit and no soccer boots, no training resources and no qualified coaches
  • have no experience of playing outside the context of townships and informal settlements
  • have no relationships or understanding of cultures other than their own

To add to all of this deeply-rooted insecurity and low self-esteem, our ‘Boys’ were set to play against the likes of Sporting, Wits, Sandton, Old Parktonians, Panorama and the likes.

“How can we compete with these guys who have everything? These guys have the best boots and kit and coaches and fields and food and energy drinks… and everything! How can we compete against all these ‘A’ teams when we are just Panorama’s ‘C’ team?”

This was the unspoken voice of fear that tormented each of our ‘Boys’ as they ran out onto the field to play their first match. And the fear showed as they struggled with a string of disappointing results. But faith and a tenacious spirit kept our ‘Boys’ alive and they scraped through to the Top 6 Knockout Round by the skin of their teeth. And then something turned within them; a belief in themselves – that they were more than the environment they were born into; a belief in the God they had been crying 3 years to, pleading for help and support. And their next 4 matches were comfortably won to send them through to the League Finals against the Mondeor Meteors.

Now this is not a Hollywood movie, this is reality so – I am sorry to disappoint you – there was no amazing victory in the Finals, supported with a fireworks-ending :)
But that was not needed.
It was a fantastic game that we lost 2-3 to a Mondeor Team that played excellent and well-disciplined soccer. Truth is that our ‘Boys’ allowed excitement to creep into their minds and trap them with an over-confidence that was their downfall. And within that is a great lesson I am glad they are learning.
But that this young “team from the squatter camp” rose above very able, well-funded, well-coached, well-resourced, well-nourished and well-equipped teams to reach the Finals of the First Division in their first year of League competition says more than I can express in words.

THE YOUTH OF ZANDSPRUIT ARE ON THE MAP, and it is because of a giant effort of these ‘Boys’ of the Zandspruit Youth Development Football Club.

As we look ahead to 2012…..

We dream of sending our Under 13′s and Under 15′s to join our Under 17′s in the League.

We dream of having the support to transport these teams to their matches.

We dream of decent soccer boots and training kit.

We dream of nutrient-enriched energy drinks.

We dream of adequate training for the amazing Volunteer-Leader/Coaches who serve these children and youth 7 days a week

We dream of a life for these Young Men that they have shown they deserve.

We dream of a Club Sponsor that will help us develop adequate facilities within Zandspruit for us to continue the great work that has been started

If your heart is united with ours, please would you consider reading through the list below and earnestly searching your heart to see which of these you might be able to assist us with. Though some might seem trivial, please be assured that each of them are greatly important and appreciated.

THE LIST

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  • Add us and the cries of our Youth to your prayers

Once again, I would like to thank you for being part of the Journey. Thank you for your readership. Thank you for the conversations you are having. Thank you for your heart.

The spirit of holy in me gives honor to the spirit of holy in you.
Namasté

 

 

Posted in Community Outreach, Outreach Programs, Soccer Club, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Community Outreach – here’s to the “Little People”

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Philen

As I grow in my South African citizenship and my understanding of Community Outreach, I become increasingly amazed by the diversity of our people and the thread of unity that runs between us all. This week I wish to give honor to those who live with no intention of ever receiving honor or acknowledgment from mankind.

Marietjie Steyn [photo intentionally not displayed] has no training, experience or qualifications to run a nonprofit organization; she has no qualifications in social development, poverty alleviation, child and youth development, Community Outreach – nothing. In fact she studied psychology and was in a position to live a normal and wealthy life in South Africa, until one day back in 2002 when she found it on her heart to take a tray of sandwiches into the Zandspruit Informal Settlement to feed some hungry children.

I am often guilty of snubbing such acts because I feel they make no attempt to address the heart of the problem, but rather focus on appeasing our own guilty consciences.

But God has a way of using small people with small offerings for great things beyond the reach of human understanding…

She reached the Emthonjeni Community Centre and was bowled over in a few short seconds by a group of hungry little children.

From a human perspective, it was surely a waste of time.

But Marietjie came back the very next day with 2 trays of sandwiches – and the story repeated itself. 2 Trays became 4, became 8, became 16…. and Marietjie was joined by others whose hearts were softened by both the children and her perseverance.

A small, timid, “white”, privileged Afrikaans woman continued going back to the community of Zandspruit to love the little children who came running to her for sandwiches. Relationships grew, barriers crumbled, and the Golang Education Outreach organization was formed.

Today Golang has 21 staff that look after proximately 350 children from Grade RR to Grade 7 in the most successful aftercare initiative the community of Zandspruit has ever seen – equipping and empowering the “Little People” of Zandspruit, emotionally, spiritually, educationally and physically. The majority of Golang’s staff were unemployed and uneducated before Golang but many have since been trained, equipped and skilled and are now able to sustain their families through this organization.

And all of this from a tray of sandwiches, a soft heart, tenacious spirit and faith in the God of Love.

I am in awe of the Marietjie Steyn’s of South Africa.

I am in awe of how she and others like her embrace the African in themselves without shame.

I am in awe of how the spirit of Ubuntu works beyond race, culture, social standing, financial status etc.

I am in awe of how unity through a love for each other always prevails over efforts of division and segregation.

And I am in awe of the power that works within the “Little People”.

I pray that as we move forward into our democratic freedom, that we would recognize the beauty of each other regardless of race, social status, income etc. I pray that we would revive the spirit of Ubuntu that Africa is built on; that we would embrace each other with gratitude. I pray that many more Marietjie Steyn’s would rise up – black, white, rich, poor…whatever – because the truth is that Africa needs them, their hearts, and their love. And – if nothing else – I pray that you would be inspired to start from right where you are with the little that you’ve got, trusting that the God of Love is sufficiently able to use your “little” to do great things.

South Africa is in a fantastic place and we are growing stronger each day. I am proud to call myself a citizen, not because of who I am but because of those around me.

The spirit of holy in me gives honor to the spirit of holy in you.

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Posted in Community Outreach, Education, Outreach Programs | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off

Little Legends – A Football Club

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Philen

There is something truly precious and beautiful that takes place inside us when we see HOPE light up in the eyes of a child. I was privilege to that a few days ago when the Little Legends Foundation extended an invitation to our Zandspruit Youth Development Football Club, to attend a half-day clinic at the Randburg Sports Complex. 100 children between the ages of 8 and 18 were given the opportunity to meet and be trained by the likes of professional football players and coaches such as Jeremy Seethal, Rafique Hassim and Warren Metzer (amongst others), and even former Bafana Bafana star Stanton Fredericks made a brief appearance, which delighted our children and their young-adult volunteer-leaders to no end.

The facilities were fantastic, the quality of coaching was something our children have only ever seen on television, and the football stars that joked with and encouraged them was a dream that has not yet fully sunk into their little minds. But it is in their hearts and they hold onto the memory dearly.

“It’s really possible?” one of our children questioned of me. He was caught up in the moment when the thought suddenly struck him that – perhaps – he was not confined to a hope-less future in a grossly neglected ‘squatter camp’ where housing, sanitation, running water, electricity, refuse removal, schools, clinics, sports fields, youth centers and libraries are all conspicuously absent; that perhaps he was worth more than the environment he had been born into; that perhaps there was a beautiful life within his grasp where people he usually sees in newspapers and on television called him “my friend”. Such hope is a priceless gift.

Both myself and the children I serve through the My Life My Africa Children’s Foundation remain incredibly grateful to the Little Legends Foundation for the day they gave us, AND their invitation to visit and participate every Saturday so that we may move away from the one-hit-wonder mentality towards a more sustainable development plan. All that is required is for 120 children to be transported 20km every Saturday from Zandspruit to the Randburg Sports Complex and back. Please may I ask you to send this request out as far and wide as you can, in the hope that some company in South Africa would see the great opportunity here, and choose to invest into it. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

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The spirit of holy in me gives honor to the spirit of holy in you.

Posted in Soccer Club, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A Legacy Worth Leaving Behind

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Philen

When I was a kid, I used to plant apple seeds. I enjoyed watching them grow and learned a few key concepts about life from this childhood hobby. One such important lesson was how each time I planted an apple seed, I could count on an apple tree growing.

What we plant is what will grow. What we reap is what we sow.

My Mum and Dad knew this, which is why they invested into my life from before I can even remember. And today I live in the harvest field of what was sown into my life. Where I am, what I do and the values that drive me were knitted into my foundations from the very beginning, and it should be no surprise that I am where I am.

And as I look towards my future – because of the investment into my life – I am able to look with hope. I am even able to dream of the legacy I will leave behind through my own children. And this is a beautiful thing, a beautiful system that replicates itself. My future is bright because my past was well served. And I remain grateful.

But not all of us have the same experience.


“In 1998 1’550’790 children enrolled in Grade 1 (in South Africa)– as part of a government drive to get every child into a classroom. By 2009, only 551,940 completed Grade 12”. That means that approximately 1million (64%) of our children fell by the wayside between Grade 1 and Grade 12.

- 2010 Feb/Mar Edition of The Transformer

“Of the 2.8 million 18 to 24 year olds who (in 2007) were not in employment, education or training, 2 million of them had not completed Grade 12.”

- Prof Mary Metcalfe, Director General of Higher Education and Training (M&G Sept)

“to have 3 to 7 million 18 to 24 year olds sitting at home doing nothing is a ticking time-bomb.

- The honourable Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training

“All indications are that the national target to halve poverty and unemployment by 2014 will NOT be met.”

- The honourable Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training

“South Africa has overtaken Brazil as the country with the widest gap between rich and poor, according to figures put together by a leading South African academic. Haroon Bhorat, an economics professor at UCT, told a briefing at Parliament on Friday that South Africa was now “the most unequal society in the world” with a significant increase in income inequality.”

- Business Report September 28, 2009

We reap today what was sown yesterday. Continue reading →

Posted in Youth | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Youth Soccer Development

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Philen

A Youth Soccer Development Initiative in an impoverished South African Community

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
  2. Golang Education Outreach
  3. Panorama Sports Club
  4. Kingsway Christian School
  5. Build The Class of 2022

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

 

 

Posted in Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments