“Hi folks, today in the morning the Peace Passers crew organized a soccer clinic for the local kids at the “The Comunidad Connect” court to give them some pointers on how they can improve their soccer skills. All the kids were super stoked because Peace Passers gave them some new soccer uniforms and now they are able to play on the next contest. Here in Nicaragua not many people want to support the young kids and keep them away from bad habits. We here at NSR want to thank these guys for helping these kids out. It is nice when people take the time to help out our community, again thank you very much.”
Peace Passers is honored to be officially ‘Tagged’ on the walls of the Futbol Sala court in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua. We began our relationship with the local kids leagues back in March 2008. Most recently we have sponsored the first-ever Futbol Sala league for girls in SJDS. Without your donations, none of this would have been accomplished … a big thank you from the Peace Passers Team.
PeacePassers is proud to offer thanks to Michelle Jenkins (Charlotte, NC) for her connection on the recent trip to Nairobi, Kenya. Michelle served as a member of a mission team that traveled to Kenya to work with kids in the orphanage at the Jubilee Children’s Center (http://www.kenyaorphanageproject.org) Upon her return, she reflected on the experience:
“We handed out the PeacePassers soccer uniforms and equipment two days before we left the orphanage (b/c it rained every day). That entire week we never saw the boys play and wondered if they knew how. Of course they did! (and they were awesome at it) but it almost seemed like they needed something to unify them to get them out there playing. And when we handed out the beautiful soccer jerseys- the boys came from every corner of the school to come out and play.”
“I elected two of the older boys to be captains and organize the teams. By surprise they chose team members the fairest way possible – count off 1,2,1,2. They were very proud of their soccer uniforms and really enjoyed posing for the “team” pictures.”
“It was an awesome sight seeing them play all together and the younger kids on the sidelines enjoying the game. It’s really not very often they get gifts such as these and we left knowing they would take good care of the soccer uniforms & equipment and get some great use out of them.
So with all that being said – I say to you PeacePassers- a big big thank you!!”– Michelle Jenkins
Peace Passers Caleb and Decker put on a soccer clinic at Casa Atarraya (El Salvador) for the kids of the school’s soccer program along with donating some soccer gear and equipment. We’ve posted the action in the videos below.
Mac Stone, a Photographer from Gainesville, Florida has been working for two years in Las Mangas, Honduras for a non-profit called Guaruma. The organization concentrates its efforts in the east sector of Pico Bonito National Park where students have the opportunity to enroll in a local environmental education project. The students from Las Mangas range in ages 8 to 17.
Mac recently met up with the Peacepassers to take some of your gear donations to the children of Las Mangas. The soccer team in Las Mangas is one of many in the river valley area.Every weekend they get together to play other teams in the area, sometimes they travel to the city of La Ceiba for tournaments. The donation of uniforms and equipment was well received and the children quickly fought over their favorite numbers. This weekend (May 2nd) will be their first game with the new jerseys.
Peace Passer attendees: Caleb Cooper and Marley Hagerstrom.
This morning, I woke up to the sound of roosters crowing and dogs barking. A truck drives by full of fresh fruit with a man on the megaphone saying “Pina, aguacate, platano!” The offshore wind blows and I am cooled off momentarily. This morning feels especially good in Nicaragua because of the events that took place last night. I witnessed approximately 100 kids from San Juan Del Sur gather at the local community center ‘Comunidad Connect’ in great anticipation of the upcoming games.
As I walk through the gates of the cement court, I nearly get hit by a kid on his bike pedaling away from a friend who is trying to rip him off it at the same time. The chase continues into the middle of the court where a “futbol sala” league game is being played but the kids continue playing like nothing has happened. The field is the size of a typical basketball court so that both sports can be played on the same space. The Chaos is topped with smiles, laughter and the sound of Latin funk blaring from the speakers in the background. “These kids are having fun” were the first words to come out of my mouth.
I feel proud of the Peace Passers Team and friends immediately b/c of the feeling that our cause has really gained some true meaning and momentum. Unexpected generosity is one thing to give when handing a ball out of the window to a complete stranger who replies “si” when you ask if he plays futbol in broken Spanish. But a true team effort in raising enough money to sponsor this league which has a spring and fall season is something completely different. The kids are all trying extremely hard as their parents cheer them on in the stadium seating surrounding the court. One of the forwards on the yellow team scores a goal and runs over the crowd with his arms out like an airplane. Sweet.
6 hours earlier, after carrying two boards and a full ‘bag of soccer’ through the border of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, I am relieved to get offered the use of a cell phone from a local Nicaraguan who sees the panic in my face when I realize my ride is nowhere to be found. I call Jon Thompson and he tells me he is right around the corner. When he pulls up I immediately get a good vibe or ‘Buena onda’ from the stranger that I only know through emails and internet chat initiated by one of the Peace Passer team members Seany Frye. Jon is highly influential in the guidance of two non profit groups including Comunidad Connect in SJDS, Nicaragua. A guy that has done more for the town and people of SJDS that most would be ashamed to compare to. I give the stranger who lent me his phone a ball from the bag and we pull away as he points to the Adidas symbol and says “bueno.”
After being honored in front the crowd and given a true ‘futbol sala’ ball signed by all of the team coaches, a local dad leans over to me and says “Muchas Gracias”. “Con mucho gusto” (much pleasure) I reply. Not two minutes later, I look up to see the words ‘Buena onda’ painted on the brick wall facing the field. Then it strikes me, what we’re doing is spreading a good vibe to the people we encounter with the people that support us…a true team effort. The Peace Passers Team would like to thank everyone who has donated gear and monetary gifts. We appreciate your support and assistance in the continuation of spreading a Buena onda throughout the world.
