After four years of learning, playing soccer and running at Bates, my passion for the beautiful game and aspirations to work in public health have me headed to Zambia! For one year, beginning in August, I'll be working as an intern for Grassroot Soccer, a non-profit organization that uses the power of soccer to inspire, educate and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV. I feel so privileged to have had my experiences as a student-athlete and I'm excited to use what I’ve learned at Bates to help extend opportunities for health and happiness to youth through GRS.
Started in 2003, Grassroot Soccer is a non-profit organization that uses soccer as a cultural platform for public health initiatives in South Africa, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Zambia. GRS programs implement curriculums and engage positive role models within the community to help youth gain the knowledge and life skills needed for more informed and healthier lives. Though HIV is a preventable disease, over 23.5 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa live HIV positive and currently more than 90% of new youth infections occur in this region. GRS targets this public health crisis through education and increased access to testing and treatment to youth and their families. Today, over 500,000 young people have graduated from GRS programs with plans to graduate 1 million by the World Cup 2014!
Grassroot Soccer Video: Who We Are, What We Do:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKynD3dzccU
Before taking on intern duties such as assisting in the planning and implementing of programs, developing community-organization relations and promoting GRS services, I need to raise funds fGRS that will ultimately help to support my internship. My pre-departure expenses will include: passport and visa fees, vaccinations and round-trip airfare. Once there, I’ll be responsible for covering expenses such as obtaining an international driver’s license, health insurance, preventative medications, food, and all associated living costs with exception to housing.
Please consider donating to GRS to join the movement to stop the spread of the HIV epidemic and to promote health and education through soccer to young people in Sub-Saharan Africa. Any donation size will be deeply appreciated, as no amount is too small to help make a difference!
Donations can be made using the "Donate" button located in the right side column.
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