Help kids of Soweto into sports and build a better future

$1,379 donated

Given by 14 generous donors in around 7 months

6 Soweto volunteers & 1 Kiwi, building sports grounds, coaching sports and vocational skills to give underprivileged kids a better future.

Canterbury

This group of 5 local Soweto volunteers (now + 1 Kiwi), have great ideas and big hearts.

They have already developed an area covered in rubble and rubbish into sand based soccer field - funded out of their own pockets! They have been coaching for 3 short weeks and already have 70+ kids who they coach soccer after school 3 days a week and at games on Saturdays.

They do this to give kids something to work towards, keep them off the streets, and hopefully away from booze and cheap drugs (and possibly prostitution and AIDs).

Sports, combined with providing community vocational education and support for orphans in the future, their aim is to improve the future prospects of children and their families.

The team want to extend the soccer field and teaching kids sports concept firstly to another soccer field and then an entire sports ground! They can't do that out of their own pockets, which is where you come in. Donations will initially be used to buy soccer gear like: goalie gloves (they only have one pair), team strip/outfit and soccer boots (I saw 1 kid playing with one boot and one shoe, many have none). Further funds will then be used to extend the sports grounds and coaching capability.

Hands-on will in the future establish a structure for volunteers to come to Soweto to teach sports (beginning with soccer).

We will also be collecting donated clothing for the organisation. Your old clothing, soccer boots, sports clothes, sports bras, trainers and even $1 donation will make a huge difference to these kids.

If you would like any further information, including the project outline, or on volunteering for Hands-On, please email Jess at Handsonsoweto@gmail.com.

Also search Hands-on Soweto on Facebook.

Jess Senior's involvement (page creator)

I met this team coaching soccer when I was walking in Soweto and was very impressed with what they were doing. They have the same passion I do for children and their communities, so decided I would volunteer and give them a hand!

I am helping them establish the structures around their not for profit (still awaiting registration) and raise some funds to further develop their concept.