The Treasure at Hand

Soccer camp participantsTo a stranger, one will be shocked to see young boys and girls kicking a small piece of plastic or even water bottles along the way as they trek from school daily.

I remember walking down one village road with me a brand new soccer ball. Shortly I notice that a bunch of them we following me closely until one braved and asked me whether he could touch it.

I gave it to them to touch it and they all scrammed to touch it as they tossed it up in the air, with such wide smiles on their faces. I think I really made their day, that evening, yet this kept me thinking, saying ... wow!

Release one ball any where in the country and you will see how many children come from all sides/corners to play.

With the ball project, many kids have had the opportunity to kick a real ball, many love going to school because at break time they will have an opportunity to kick and play with one.

The smile, the sense of belonging and togetherness this experience has brought into the lives of many young people is so memorable.
I want to urge some of us who have access to a ball or sports equipment, not to underestimate what it means and can do in the life of another young person across your street or miles away.

keep up the good work - Ball Project!

A Ball is all I had, Joan Speaks out.

Give aways for TournamentJoan is a wife of Pastor and a women’s local council representative to the district of Nakaseke - Uganda. After the training in Sports Ministry, approached us and asked if it where possible to get her some balls.
We asked what she would do with 2 soccer balls and 2 Netball, said, that is all I need now to do is what I feel is relevant to my village. We obliged and responded to her request.

After 27 days, she invited us to officiate the finals of the tournament she organized that brought together 8 neighboring villages in a radius of 5 miles that participate. She used daily the time before the games to talk about the key social challenges in her community, and how to over come them. Issues that she discussed as a community leader included HIV/AIDS increase in her region, early teenage pregnancy, Malaria Control etc.

Using the ball was one of the most powerful ways i had never used to bring people together despite their past political differences and experiences, tribes and faiths. I was re-elected into my political responsibility 2011/2015 unanimously without contention/opposition from any one,

she continues to explain.

We have visited this village with follow-up trainings and programs, it is so encouraging to see what is happening in this community. We intend to start camps and coaching clinics in the near future.
Joan is one of the many leaders that have realized and tested what a simple ball can do in their communities.