WWW.CAMEROONFDP.COM
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Equipment Count From Pittsburgh
Wow! Many thanks are due to Emilie, a Dorseyville Middle Schooler who recently engaged her family, friends, classmates, and neighbors in a soccer gear collection project for her bat mitzvah!! We just completed an inventory of all of the equipment donated by the Fox Chapel and surrounding Pittsburgh Communities!!
Here is what we got:
84 pair of soccer shoes
84 pair of soccer socks
78 soccer balls
51 individual jerseys
43 shin guards (used)
22 shin guards (brand new)
5 goalie gloves
4 complete uniforms (includes 12-14 matching jerseys and shorts)
One Mission: Improve the lives of African Youth.
We do not intend to accomplish this simply by handing out soccer equipment!!
Pittsburgh's soccer gear will facilitate weekly after school soccer sessions which incorporate life skills and health education in 10 schools in Kumba, Cameroon during the 2011-2012 school year.
Pittsburgh's soccer gear will reward youth who excel on the soccer field and who are engaged in discussion with their peers. The gear will be leveraged as an incentive to encourage individual participation and community involvement.
Pittsburgh's soccer gear will empower youth who may never have played the game with shoes or shin guards.
Salud-o, Yinzers!!!
Look at all those shoes!!!
Here is what we got:
84 pair of soccer shoes
84 pair of soccer socks
78 soccer balls
51 individual jerseys
43 shin guards (used)
22 shin guards (brand new)
5 goalie gloves
4 complete uniforms (includes 12-14 matching jerseys and shorts)
One Mission: Improve the lives of African Youth.
We do not intend to accomplish this simply by handing out soccer equipment!!
Pittsburgh's soccer gear will facilitate weekly after school soccer sessions which incorporate life skills and health education in 10 schools in Kumba, Cameroon during the 2011-2012 school year.
Pittsburgh's soccer gear will reward youth who excel on the soccer field and who are engaged in discussion with their peers. The gear will be leveraged as an incentive to encourage individual participation and community involvement.
Pittsburgh's soccer gear will empower youth who may never have played the game with shoes or shin guards.
Salud-o, Yinzers!!!
Look at all those shoes!!!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Construction of CFDP Office Near Complete
It’s Official! CFDP will have a place of business in the Kumba Main Market by the end of the month! A local businessman in Kumba has converted a portion of his warehouse into an office for CFDP. A project which began in December 2010 – constructing dry-wall dividers and knocking out an own entryway from a concrete block wall – will soon be complete!
I first met Mr. Josephat Nweke while working on the Barombi Water Project in 2008. I had just arrived in Cameroon after graduating from UD (most of my classmates were at Dayton 2 Daytona) and upon connecting with Mr. Benjamin Feh, our local water engineer contact, we jumped right into things. Our first concern was materials – pipes, appurtenances, cement, gravel, sand, and tools for construction. Benjamin knew exactly where to go. He led me to the Kumba Main Market to one shop which sold plumbing materials and sink fixtures. I would soon come to learn the proprietor, Mr. Nweke, had a long history of working in rural water supply. The wealth of knowledge between him and Benjamin was far past my own as a novice civil engineer and their involvement in the Barombi Water Project was vital to our success.
Nweke sold us pipes. He most certainly gave us the best deal in town on top-quality materials. He soon became a very good friend to me and the other civil engineering students who were a part of the project. “The Hardware Man”, as we affectionately referred to him, was involved in our activities throughout the two months we stayed in country. He was a part of the team.
When I returned to Cameroon in July 2010, I made sure to pay a visit to Nweke at his store in the Main Market. Once he learned of the objectives of the Cameroon Football Development Program, he immediately wanted to get involved and I could see the wheels turning in his head during our first, short sit down.
I met up with Nweke on the last day of my very short, two-week stay in Cameroon. He invited me and Peter over to his house for dinner. Beaming, he then proposed his idea to give CFDP an office, rent-free, for a few years as we gain momentum. Needless to say, I was speechless.
Soon our management team in Cameroon will have a place to do business, like any other serious non-government organization (NGO). No more waiting in line at the internet café for a computer to use. No more trekking across town with all types of paperwork to make copies or use a printer. We will have a place for our organization and people to call HOME and a foundation for a great and sustainable future in Cameroon.
Thank you, Mr. Josephat Nweke!
I first met Mr. Josephat Nweke while working on the Barombi Water Project in 2008. I had just arrived in Cameroon after graduating from UD (most of my classmates were at Dayton 2 Daytona) and upon connecting with Mr. Benjamin Feh, our local water engineer contact, we jumped right into things. Our first concern was materials – pipes, appurtenances, cement, gravel, sand, and tools for construction. Benjamin knew exactly where to go. He led me to the Kumba Main Market to one shop which sold plumbing materials and sink fixtures. I would soon come to learn the proprietor, Mr. Nweke, had a long history of working in rural water supply. The wealth of knowledge between him and Benjamin was far past my own as a novice civil engineer and their involvement in the Barombi Water Project was vital to our success.
Nweke sold us pipes. He most certainly gave us the best deal in town on top-quality materials. He soon became a very good friend to me and the other civil engineering students who were a part of the project. “The Hardware Man”, as we affectionately referred to him, was involved in our activities throughout the two months we stayed in country. He was a part of the team.
When I returned to Cameroon in July 2010, I made sure to pay a visit to Nweke at his store in the Main Market. Once he learned of the objectives of the Cameroon Football Development Program, he immediately wanted to get involved and I could see the wheels turning in his head during our first, short sit down.
I met up with Nweke on the last day of my very short, two-week stay in Cameroon. He invited me and Peter over to his house for dinner. Beaming, he then proposed his idea to give CFDP an office, rent-free, for a few years as we gain momentum. Needless to say, I was speechless.
Soon our management team in Cameroon will have a place to do business, like any other serious non-government organization (NGO). No more waiting in line at the internet café for a computer to use. No more trekking across town with all types of paperwork to make copies or use a printer. We will have a place for our organization and people to call HOME and a foundation for a great and sustainable future in Cameroon.
Thank you, Mr. Josephat Nweke!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
A Story of Cameroon
Today I want to take some time to write about a very close friend of mine and tell of the amazing things she is doing in Cameroon right now.
I met my sister Nina Ngassa back in 2006. It was my first time in Cameroon and I lived with her family for five weeks in the Fiango neighborhood of Kumba. I was working with the Organisation for Sustainable Rural Infrastructure (OSRI) whose office is opposite the High Court. It was something like a 9 to 5.
When I wasn't traveling to remote villages to meet with traditional leaders and water management committees or trekking through the bush (jungle) to identify potential sources for water supply, I spent much time in the Ngassa compound on All For God Street. The 12-foot high concrete wall surrounding the grocery store proprietor's home provided security from the sometimes-rough surrounding area of Fiango. Inside the compound, I found a new home in the conversations with my brothers and sisters. Natalie and Nina were finishing up high school and preparing to attend the University of Buea. Junior was a very intelligent and very stubborn young man of about 10. Even at that age, he was a nationalist and did not let me forget what 'my fathers' did to his African ancestors. Terrance, or Small T, was a young teen who lived with the Ngassas and cherished any time spent outside of the fortress-like compound...talking to neighborhood girls and sneaking in sweets when he could. He is tall now. Big T, their older brother named Terrance, was away at university so I did not see him all that much. He now lives in the United Kingdom.
I learned much about family from our conversations. Nina was a rebel. She followed suit when she had to, but never hesitated to voice her discontent with anything her Mom required of her. Ma Ngassa doesn't play either. She runs a tight ship. Nina and I had an instant draw...I guess because we both aim to be revolutionaries... Our conversations went deeper and we shared our dreams with eachother. Wide-eyed as we were - and still may be - we both saw our futures in Cameroon.
Nina studied Law at the University of Buea in the Southwest Region. She graduated in 2009. Her Mom and Dad encouraged her to enter another training school to pursue a position within one of the Ministries of the Government. Nina wanted to make movies. About a year ago - right about the time I started talking to Peter and Brian about starting CFDP - Nina began writing a screenplay for her first feature film.
After six months of writing, she assembled a production crew and struggled to find the much-needed financial backing to secure a Nigerian movie star as the lead and cover all other filmmaking expenditures. Pre-production planning began in November 2010 and all things are now in place to begin filming by the end of March for the 10-14 day shoot. Much of the filming will be done in the beach town of Limbe, on the Atlantic coast.
The red carpet premier is planned for May 17th in Buea. With this endeavor, she sets her sights on becomming one of the biggest producers in Cameroon. I only hope we should be so lucky to see a CFDP documentary as one of her future projects. I admire my sister Nina's ambition, persistence, and dedication. This is a story of Cameroon. This is a story of Africa.
Justin
I met my sister Nina Ngassa back in 2006. It was my first time in Cameroon and I lived with her family for five weeks in the Fiango neighborhood of Kumba. I was working with the Organisation for Sustainable Rural Infrastructure (OSRI) whose office is opposite the High Court. It was something like a 9 to 5.
When I wasn't traveling to remote villages to meet with traditional leaders and water management committees or trekking through the bush (jungle) to identify potential sources for water supply, I spent much time in the Ngassa compound on All For God Street. The 12-foot high concrete wall surrounding the grocery store proprietor's home provided security from the sometimes-rough surrounding area of Fiango. Inside the compound, I found a new home in the conversations with my brothers and sisters. Natalie and Nina were finishing up high school and preparing to attend the University of Buea. Junior was a very intelligent and very stubborn young man of about 10. Even at that age, he was a nationalist and did not let me forget what 'my fathers' did to his African ancestors. Terrance, or Small T, was a young teen who lived with the Ngassas and cherished any time spent outside of the fortress-like compound...talking to neighborhood girls and sneaking in sweets when he could. He is tall now. Big T, their older brother named Terrance, was away at university so I did not see him all that much. He now lives in the United Kingdom.
I learned much about family from our conversations. Nina was a rebel. She followed suit when she had to, but never hesitated to voice her discontent with anything her Mom required of her. Ma Ngassa doesn't play either. She runs a tight ship. Nina and I had an instant draw...I guess because we both aim to be revolutionaries... Our conversations went deeper and we shared our dreams with eachother. Wide-eyed as we were - and still may be - we both saw our futures in Cameroon.
Nina studied Law at the University of Buea in the Southwest Region. She graduated in 2009. Her Mom and Dad encouraged her to enter another training school to pursue a position within one of the Ministries of the Government. Nina wanted to make movies. About a year ago - right about the time I started talking to Peter and Brian about starting CFDP - Nina began writing a screenplay for her first feature film.
After six months of writing, she assembled a production crew and struggled to find the much-needed financial backing to secure a Nigerian movie star as the lead and cover all other filmmaking expenditures. Pre-production planning began in November 2010 and all things are now in place to begin filming by the end of March for the 10-14 day shoot. Much of the filming will be done in the beach town of Limbe, on the Atlantic coast.
The red carpet premier is planned for May 17th in Buea. With this endeavor, she sets her sights on becomming one of the biggest producers in Cameroon. I only hope we should be so lucky to see a CFDP documentary as one of her future projects. I admire my sister Nina's ambition, persistence, and dedication. This is a story of Cameroon. This is a story of Africa.
Justin
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Let the Fundraising Begin!
Our Friends in Montreal - FSS Salaberry Coach and Players - are so innovative when it comes to fundraising!!
They recently booked their flights to Cameroon and will arrive in Douala on July 3rd! As a result, the young players (age 19-23) quickly learned how important it is to raise funds for THEIR OWN travel and living expenses while in country.
They wrapped presents at a local shopping mall in December.
As a team,they created a Goal-a-Thon for their Winter Indoor Soccer Season. Each of the players traveling asked their friends and family to each pledge something per goal, usually $1.
They have scored over 50 goals so far.
They are planning a Spaghetti Dinner and have had a "Dance Club Night".
But this is the icing on the cake...
Next Tuesday two FSS players, Simon and Gaelle, are heading into the studio for an interview to be on a game show!
Des Skelettes Dans le Placards (Skeletons in the Closet) is a game show in which three celebrities present what appears to be an embarrassing story about themselves. Two of these 'skeletons in the closet' are true. One is false. Two teams of 25 participants go head to head to determine who is telling the truth. The host asks questions to help the teams figure out which story belongs to which celebrity and vote for which story is not true. The winning team takes home $1000.
GOOD LUCK!!
As we prepare for our own Fundraising Drive this Spring, WE WELCOME ANY IDEAS YOU HAVE!!
They recently booked their flights to Cameroon and will arrive in Douala on July 3rd! As a result, the young players (age 19-23) quickly learned how important it is to raise funds for THEIR OWN travel and living expenses while in country.
They wrapped presents at a local shopping mall in December.
As a team,they created a Goal-a-Thon for their Winter Indoor Soccer Season. Each of the players traveling asked their friends and family to each pledge something per goal, usually $1.
They have scored over 50 goals so far.
They are planning a Spaghetti Dinner and have had a "Dance Club Night".
But this is the icing on the cake...
Next Tuesday two FSS players, Simon and Gaelle, are heading into the studio for an interview to be on a game show!
Des Skelettes Dans le Placards (Skeletons in the Closet) is a game show in which three celebrities present what appears to be an embarrassing story about themselves. Two of these 'skeletons in the closet' are true. One is false. Two teams of 25 participants go head to head to determine who is telling the truth. The host asks questions to help the teams figure out which story belongs to which celebrity and vote for which story is not true. The winning team takes home $1000.
GOOD LUCK!!
As we prepare for our own Fundraising Drive this Spring, WE WELCOME ANY IDEAS YOU HAVE!!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Back To Work!
CFDP was back in action this past week, resuming after-school sessions after a short interim for holiday activities. First it was Bilingualism Day and then Youth Day. Activities included many sports competitions and other festivals. One thing for sure: Cameroonians know how to celebrate! We really enjoy life - making the most of what we have.
CFDP continues to refine our operating model and develop "THE METHOD" as we have just recently started working with another school. Last summer, our local team was equipped with a handbook providing guidance for 12 sessions - each one including discussion topics and soccer drills. We are now working on a year-long curriculum to further our mission and create a sustainable foundation for lift-off during the 2011-2012 school year.
This latest report comes from Government Secondary School Nkamlikum and is provided by Brian.
At exactly 4pm, the session began, after we had done the role call of the students present. Of the total number of students we have been working with, forty five (45) were present. Among these forty five, thirty five were boys and ten girls. More to these, six leaders were present: Brian, Nenne, Caroline, Wallace, Kama and Ashu. Dickson, who has been acting as our camera man, was ill and so he could not be present, thus we had no other means of taking pictures since all our pictures are usually taken by his camera phone.
The program consisted of warm ups, headed by Kama, Wallace and Brian, as the youths were divided into three groups. After the warm ups, we moved straight to the first activity, which was the passing drill. We came back to this exercise because we wanted to find out if they could still master what they had learned from us after our last session. The exercise lasted for over 20 minutes and we took this long because many of them had forgotten how give precise passes. Thus much emphasis had to be laid again on this. We also added another passing exercise known as push pass.
From the passing drills, we moved to our topic discussion, “changes that boys and girls experience during puberty”. Here, many of them were a little bit shy or lukewarm to discuss these topics with us. But since it is our job to make the atmosphere conducive for them, we had to explain to them to feel free and that it was essential for them to know these things, to better understand their bodies. After this, their participation in this discussion was encouraging and very interesting. As usual, whenever they found themselves settled, they always asked interesting questions and felt free and relaxed.
After the discussions of these topics, the session ended at 5:30pm with the dribbling exercises. Here, the youths did dribbling between the cones, passing between the cones and the inside drag. Here, most of them excelled in them, especially the boys and all these were done with the collaboration of the sports teacher of the institution.
We will follow-up with the same activities next week at Kosala.
CFDP continues to refine our operating model and develop "THE METHOD" as we have just recently started working with another school. Last summer, our local team was equipped with a handbook providing guidance for 12 sessions - each one including discussion topics and soccer drills. We are now working on a year-long curriculum to further our mission and create a sustainable foundation for lift-off during the 2011-2012 school year.
This latest report comes from Government Secondary School Nkamlikum and is provided by Brian.
At exactly 4pm, the session began, after we had done the role call of the students present. Of the total number of students we have been working with, forty five (45) were present. Among these forty five, thirty five were boys and ten girls. More to these, six leaders were present: Brian, Nenne, Caroline, Wallace, Kama and Ashu. Dickson, who has been acting as our camera man, was ill and so he could not be present, thus we had no other means of taking pictures since all our pictures are usually taken by his camera phone.
The program consisted of warm ups, headed by Kama, Wallace and Brian, as the youths were divided into three groups. After the warm ups, we moved straight to the first activity, which was the passing drill. We came back to this exercise because we wanted to find out if they could still master what they had learned from us after our last session. The exercise lasted for over 20 minutes and we took this long because many of them had forgotten how give precise passes. Thus much emphasis had to be laid again on this. We also added another passing exercise known as push pass.
From the passing drills, we moved to our topic discussion, “changes that boys and girls experience during puberty”. Here, many of them were a little bit shy or lukewarm to discuss these topics with us. But since it is our job to make the atmosphere conducive for them, we had to explain to them to feel free and that it was essential for them to know these things, to better understand their bodies. After this, their participation in this discussion was encouraging and very interesting. As usual, whenever they found themselves settled, they always asked interesting questions and felt free and relaxed.
After the discussions of these topics, the session ended at 5:30pm with the dribbling exercises. Here, the youths did dribbling between the cones, passing between the cones and the inside drag. Here, most of them excelled in them, especially the boys and all these were done with the collaboration of the sports teacher of the institution.
We will follow-up with the same activities next week at Kosala.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Meet the Pen Pals - Part II
So...you have met some of the Cameroonian youth who are participating in CFDP's Premier Pen Pal Program (See Blog Post Below). It's imoprtant to learn more about the players from FSS Salaberry - the soccer club in Montreal - who are partnering with these boys and girls for this fantastic cultural exchange.
The senior players representing FSS Salaberry will spend two weeks in July in Cameroon. They will stay in Kumba as their home base, play LOTS of soccer, travel to a few other cities and suburbs in the Southwest Region, and spend some quality time with their Pen Pals. Did we mention they have organized for an ENTIRE SHIPPING CONTAINER to be filled with donated soccer equipment ?!?! Contributions ranging from soccer balls to entire team sets of jerseys have been donated from people across the North American Continent - from Montreal to Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh to Minneapolis!! But I digress...
Working closely with their WONDERFUL coach, we have been able to match the Pen Pals according to their interests.
For example, Isabelle (medical student in Montrael ) is connected to Kelda (see below :0).
Nadine (Montreal) and Tambe (Cameroon) have a few things in common besides soccer. For example,they are both African!! Nadine is half-Egyptian!!
Gaëlle (Montreal) and Janet (Cameroon) both love MUSIC!!! They will have no trouble enjoying the beautiful sounds of Makossa, of Cameroon, and Coupé Décalé, of Côte d'Ivoire.
The Pen Pals have been Introduced. The FSS players have written their first letters and the Cameroonian youth are forming their responses now!
The senior players representing FSS Salaberry will spend two weeks in July in Cameroon. They will stay in Kumba as their home base, play LOTS of soccer, travel to a few other cities and suburbs in the Southwest Region, and spend some quality time with their Pen Pals. Did we mention they have organized for an ENTIRE SHIPPING CONTAINER to be filled with donated soccer equipment ?!?! Contributions ranging from soccer balls to entire team sets of jerseys have been donated from people across the North American Continent - from Montreal to Washington, D.C. to Pittsburgh to Minneapolis!! But I digress...
Working closely with their WONDERFUL coach, we have been able to match the Pen Pals according to their interests.
For example, Isabelle (medical student in Montrael ) is connected to Kelda (see below :0).
Nadine (Montreal) and Tambe (Cameroon) have a few things in common besides soccer. For example,they are both African!! Nadine is half-Egyptian!!
Gaëlle (Montreal) and Janet (Cameroon) both love MUSIC!!! They will have no trouble enjoying the beautiful sounds of Makossa, of Cameroon, and Coupé Décalé, of Côte d'Ivoire.
The Pen Pals have been Introduced. The FSS players have written their first letters and the Cameroonian youth are forming their responses now!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Check Out These Skills!!!
In August 2010, CFDP hosted three days of youth camps in Kumba. Each day consisted of soccer drills, discussions on important life skills and health topics, free hot lunch, competitive soccer matches, and most importantly...FUN!!
We are planning for MORE SOCCER FESTIVALS this summer for YOUTH in KUMBA and in BUEA, the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon.
Check out some videos from last summer!!
AMAZING JUGGLING SKILLS
CRAZY BACK FLIPS...THIS GUY DOESN'T STOP!!!
We are planning for MORE SOCCER FESTIVALS this summer for YOUTH in KUMBA and in BUEA, the capital of the Southwest Region of Cameroon.
Check out some videos from last summer!!
AMAZING JUGGLING SKILLS
CRAZY BACK FLIPS...THIS GUY DOESN'T STOP!!!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Cameroonian Leader weighs in on uprising in Tunisia and Libya
The events in North Africa are a wakeup call for the entire continent. You have leaders who cling to power for long stretches of time while they do nothing good for the continent's children, you have a continent blessed with so much but having nothing at the table because everything is been looted by the West and now China follow suit, so you have hungry angry people whose only alternative will be to take to the streets. Our leaders should wake up and work for the people or make way for the young patriotic able citizens who can turn Africa in a success story. Africa should be a leading continent but not a following continent as is the case. You have a continent divided in Euro or Arab centric, Anglo or francophone, it's time for us to choose our true friends and develop our continent as one, stop begging Europe and China and perhaps look at models like South Africa, Brazil and India.
Chief Bisong Etahoben, Yaounde, Cameroon
Chief Bisong Etahoben, Yaounde, Cameroon
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Meet The PenPals - Part I
We are happy to introduce some of the 16 talented young people from Kumba, Cameroon who are participating in out Premier PenPal Program. They come from various neighborhoods all across Kumba. They range in age from 13 to 21 years. Each of them wants to achieve their dream of pursuing their education and becomming leaders within their community. They have been paired with 16 young soccer players in Montreal, Quebec - most of whom are university students pursuing their own dreams.
What brings these people from two very different countries on two very different continents together?
One Beautiful Game.
Here you get a chance to meet some of the youth from Cameroon. Next time we learn more about their new friends in Montreal.
Kelda, 17
Plans to become a medical doctor
Emmanuel, 18
Future Accountant
Tambe, 15
Wishes to become the next Samuel Eto'o
Eduardo, 16
Wishes to pursue a Degree in Education
Janet, 21
Hopes to attend a Cameroonian University
Menjane Zita, 15
Wants to play on the National Women's Team
We believe CFDP can help them to follow their dreams for the betterment of themselves, their families, their communities, and their nation.
What brings these people from two very different countries on two very different continents together?
One Beautiful Game.
Here you get a chance to meet some of the youth from Cameroon. Next time we learn more about their new friends in Montreal.
Kelda, 17
Plans to become a medical doctor
Emmanuel, 18
Future Accountant
Tambe, 15
Wishes to become the next Samuel Eto'o
Eduardo, 16
Wishes to pursue a Degree in Education
Janet, 21
Hopes to attend a Cameroonian University
Menjane Zita, 15
Wants to play on the National Women's Team
We believe CFDP can help them to follow their dreams for the betterment of themselves, their families, their communities, and their nation.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Peace Is The Goal
We recently - and unexpectedly - received a box of soccer gear in the mail. Up until this point, all of the soccer shoes, balls, shin guards, jerseys, and other soccer equipment which has been collected around the US and Canada for youth in Cameroon remains with the wonderful individuals and teams who began collections within their own communities. We can imagine their closets, garages, and storage space is filling up quickly, so we want to first say THANKS for being patient as we get our plan of action for transporting the equipment to Monteral to be packed in the shipping container and set sail across the Atlantic Ocean for the Port of Douala, Cameroon.
So...You may be asking...where did this box of soccer equipment come from???
Your answer: Fort Atkinson, Wisconson
And...How did it make it to the CFDP Warehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia??
Your Answer:
PEACE IS THE GOAL is a goodwill initiative stared in 2006 by student and soccer player Mitch Arnold. At the tender age of 13, Mitch started by earning money from after-school jobs, like refereeing soccer, and purchasing soccer equipment to send to kids in less priveledged or troubled areas in the world. His aim is to make the world a better place by spreading the message of peace through the WORLD's GAME. Since PEACE IS THE GOAL's inception, over $28,000 worth of equipment, including over 1,000 soccer balls has been distributed in 47 countries across the globe. Read more about it here.
Cheers, Mitch. THANK YOU.
Want to change the world? You can. Start Small. Think Global. Act Local.DO SOMETHING . ORG can help.
Check back with us soon for an update on our Pen Pals!! We have formally introduced 16 players from FSS Salaberry (Montreal soccer club) with 16 youth in Kumba. Participants on both continents are ecstatic. You should be too!!!
So...You may be asking...where did this box of soccer equipment come from???
Your answer: Fort Atkinson, Wisconson
And...How did it make it to the CFDP Warehouse in Wheeling, West Virginia??
Your Answer:
PEACE IS THE GOAL is a goodwill initiative stared in 2006 by student and soccer player Mitch Arnold. At the tender age of 13, Mitch started by earning money from after-school jobs, like refereeing soccer, and purchasing soccer equipment to send to kids in less priveledged or troubled areas in the world. His aim is to make the world a better place by spreading the message of peace through the WORLD's GAME. Since PEACE IS THE GOAL's inception, over $28,000 worth of equipment, including over 1,000 soccer balls has been distributed in 47 countries across the globe. Read more about it here.
Cheers, Mitch. THANK YOU.
Want to change the world? You can. Start Small. Think Global. Act Local.DO SOMETHING . ORG can help.
Check back with us soon for an update on our Pen Pals!! We have formally introduced 16 players from FSS Salaberry (Montreal soccer club) with 16 youth in Kumba. Participants on both continents are ecstatic. You should be too!!!
Monday, February 7, 2011
CFDP Branches Out
CFDP sessions have begun with our third school in Cameroon!! Our homebase is in Kumba in the South-west Region. Our first satellite school is located in Nkambe in the North-west Region. These are the only two regions in Cameroon where English is the primary language. French dominates the other eight regions. Enjoy this narrative provided by Peter.
The launching of CFDP activities in Nkambe took place on Thursday 27th of January 2011.There were thirty students who participated, 17 girls and 13 boys, ranging in age from 12 to 16. The students were first of schooled on the objective of CFDP by the Cameroon coordinator, Peter Ngwane, and then introduced to the reality of the program. After the session, the youth were encouraged to give feedback. The feedback was positive and more students are showing lot of interest to join. We are looking forward to carry on and keep the flag flying.
Nkambe the head quarters of Donga Mantung Division Of the North-west Region of Cameroon was created as an administrative unit in 1948 by the then British colonial administration and administered as an integral part of the then Southern Cameroons with direct supervision from the Governor General of Nigeria.
Today Nkambe has grown beyond leaps and bounds and is fast becoming a cosmopolitan town. Despite the indicators of modern development found in Nkambe such as schools, hospitals, telecommunication, churches, and an earthen road network from the Region’s headquarter, Bamenda. Nkambe still remains a very traditional society with all the facets of the culture of the people still intact.
Traditional Dancers at the Fon's (Chief's) Palace in the Holy Village of Mankon in the North-west Region
Many factors have hindered the development of the area and left this community especially vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The situation of this deadly disease in this region is so serious that, according to a medical officer of the Nkambe Government General Hospital, an estimated six out of ten patients coming for consultation at the hospital are diagnosed to be HIV positive. Their ages typically range from sixteen to thirty-five years.
Therefore the need to create awareness through educative programs to empower youth is an incredible way to curb the wrath of this deadly virus and build a future that will be promising for the advancement of this community. Long Live CFDP!
Government Technical High School (GTHS) Nkambe was founded in 1990 and stands as the Mother Technical school throughout the Division. It has a population of approximately 700 students divided into two sections: commercial and industrial. GTHS Nkambe offers courses such as Office Automation, Accounting, Administrative Communication and Action, Home Economics, Clothing Industry, Wood work, Public Works, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Surveying.
The launching of CFDP activities in Nkambe took place on Thursday 27th of January 2011.There were thirty students who participated, 17 girls and 13 boys, ranging in age from 12 to 16. The students were first of schooled on the objective of CFDP by the Cameroon coordinator, Peter Ngwane, and then introduced to the reality of the program. After the session, the youth were encouraged to give feedback. The feedback was positive and more students are showing lot of interest to join. We are looking forward to carry on and keep the flag flying.
Nkambe the head quarters of Donga Mantung Division Of the North-west Region of Cameroon was created as an administrative unit in 1948 by the then British colonial administration and administered as an integral part of the then Southern Cameroons with direct supervision from the Governor General of Nigeria.
Today Nkambe has grown beyond leaps and bounds and is fast becoming a cosmopolitan town. Despite the indicators of modern development found in Nkambe such as schools, hospitals, telecommunication, churches, and an earthen road network from the Region’s headquarter, Bamenda. Nkambe still remains a very traditional society with all the facets of the culture of the people still intact.
Traditional Dancers at the Fon's (Chief's) Palace in the Holy Village of Mankon in the North-west Region
Many factors have hindered the development of the area and left this community especially vulnerable to the spread of HIV/AIDS. The situation of this deadly disease in this region is so serious that, according to a medical officer of the Nkambe Government General Hospital, an estimated six out of ten patients coming for consultation at the hospital are diagnosed to be HIV positive. Their ages typically range from sixteen to thirty-five years.
Therefore the need to create awareness through educative programs to empower youth is an incredible way to curb the wrath of this deadly virus and build a future that will be promising for the advancement of this community. Long Live CFDP!
Government Technical High School (GTHS) Nkambe was founded in 1990 and stands as the Mother Technical school throughout the Division. It has a population of approximately 700 students divided into two sections: commercial and industrial. GTHS Nkambe offers courses such as Office Automation, Accounting, Administrative Communication and Action, Home Economics, Clothing Industry, Wood work, Public Works, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Surveying.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Legal Representation? Check!
We have formed a Board of Directors. We are five at this point in time. Yesterday we had our first meeting with our new team of legal advisors. CFDP has been accepted to the Community Enterprise Clinic at the Duquesne University School of Law. The Community Enterprise Clinic is a transactional clinic that provides legal counseling and representation to non-profit groups and organizations that are committed to effecting change through economic and community development in distressed communities in the Greater Pittsburgh area...and Africa, too :). Two student interns and their supervising attorney will provide pro bono legal assistance to CFDP as we file our Articles of Incorporation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and submit our Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This means we will be able to accept tax-deductable donations!! Cha-ching!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Report of CFDP After School Session at Kosala
Report of CFDP After-School Session at Kosala school, held on the 26th of January 2011. Provided by CFDP Leader, Nenne, in her own words...
The session started at 4pm because of the school was preparing many activities and competitions geared toward the National Youth Day. CFDP Leadership Present: Dickson, Caroline, Kama and Nenne. We had 30 students; 7 boys and 23 girls. The school football team had a serious match with another school so most of the boys did not make it to the session.
Since the students were not many, we decided to keep them together in one group for activities and discussions. Nenne, Kama and Caroline cultivated the warm-up this time around it was different from other session because the youth were mostly girls they had a lot of interest in football. After spending about 25mins with the warm ups the first discussion was had and the topic was Communication with Parents. The youth responses were very positive and encouraging. The second discussion topic was violence against women. To add a pinch of salt, Miss Nenne sensitized the children about cholera which is very prevalent in Cameroon and most of the victims to this disease are children.
After the discussions, we continued with football drills and towards the end we organized a friendly match among the young and energetic girls, which was wonderful.
We concluded by selecting the youth for the pen pal program took their photos. More so all pictures could not be taken especially those during topic discussion because the phone memory was full that is why a digital camera is inevitable.
The session started at 4pm because of the school was preparing many activities and competitions geared toward the National Youth Day. CFDP Leadership Present: Dickson, Caroline, Kama and Nenne. We had 30 students; 7 boys and 23 girls. The school football team had a serious match with another school so most of the boys did not make it to the session.
Since the students were not many, we decided to keep them together in one group for activities and discussions. Nenne, Kama and Caroline cultivated the warm-up this time around it was different from other session because the youth were mostly girls they had a lot of interest in football. After spending about 25mins with the warm ups the first discussion was had and the topic was Communication with Parents. The youth responses were very positive and encouraging. The second discussion topic was violence against women. To add a pinch of salt, Miss Nenne sensitized the children about cholera which is very prevalent in Cameroon and most of the victims to this disease are children.
After the discussions, we continued with football drills and towards the end we organized a friendly match among the young and energetic girls, which was wonderful.
We concluded by selecting the youth for the pen pal program took their photos. More so all pictures could not be taken especially those during topic discussion because the phone memory was full that is why a digital camera is inevitable.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Summer Activities Set
Things are falling into place for the 2011 Summer Expo set for June - July in the South West Region of Cameroon. Our Friends from Montreal, FSS are building a comprehensive manual for soccer drills and games. We are planning for two Soccer Festivals – one three-day extravaganza in Kumba and another two-day event the following weekend in Buea with our partners, United Action for Children.
Because we are so lucky to have 14 young ladies from FSS Sabalerry Soccer Club joining us in Cameroon for two weeks - 13 players and their wonderful coach –we thought it would be a great opportunity to work with the Women’s Empowerment Center. FSS Salaberry will lead two workshops where they can exchange ideas with the young women of Kumba and create a positive learning experience for everyone involved. In August of 2010, the Director at the Women’s Empowerment Center asked CFDP specifically, “What will you do for this girls and young women?”
We think she will be pleased with our response!!
And…our Pen Pals will get to spend some quality time together. I know the FSS players are very excited for this…We will get to some feedback from the boys and girls in Kumba soon.
Because we are so lucky to have 14 young ladies from FSS Sabalerry Soccer Club joining us in Cameroon for two weeks - 13 players and their wonderful coach –we thought it would be a great opportunity to work with the Women’s Empowerment Center. FSS Salaberry will lead two workshops where they can exchange ideas with the young women of Kumba and create a positive learning experience for everyone involved. In August of 2010, the Director at the Women’s Empowerment Center asked CFDP specifically, “What will you do for this girls and young women?”
We think she will be pleased with our response!!
And…our Pen Pals will get to spend some quality time together. I know the FSS players are very excited for this…We will get to some feedback from the boys and girls in Kumba soon.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Our Premier Pen Pal Program
Partnering with FSS Salaberry, CFDP will organize our first PenPal Program to connect 16 boys and girls, ages 12 to 18, in Kumba with the 16 FSS soccer players in Montreal. The coolest thing about this connection: After 5 months of relationship-building, the will have the opportunity to meet face to face!!
We started out by encouraging each participant to complete a PLAYER PROFILE. This allows each individual to introduce themselves to their new friend. We hope to use soccer as platform to connect individuals on two different continents who may have never met otherwise.
The PLAYER PROFILES contain information like age, number of years playing soccer, position played, and favorite soccer memories as well as personal information about the youth's family in Cameroon and their favorite passtime (we are pretty sure its soccer!).
Our CFDP team in Cameroon is working now with our two schools to assemble the youth and take some PICTURES too!! Soon, YOU will be able to see the connections once they are made!! Many more good stuff to follow...
These two beautiful women are an example of the wonderful friendship that is creating with Cultural Immersions like this one CFDP hopes to facilitate for our friends in Montreal.
My friend Liz traveled to Cameroon in 2007 and 2008 and worked with us to build the water supply system in Barombi Village. Karen, also known as "Mami", made sure we felt at home in our two-room school house for the two months we spent in the village. She and Liz often spent hours preparing meals for our team. I currently find myself regularly asking Liz for recipes for Cameroonian dishes- which she recorded in her journal as Mami Karen offered them from memory. CHOP FINE !!! (Pidgin for 'We ate very well!)
We started out by encouraging each participant to complete a PLAYER PROFILE. This allows each individual to introduce themselves to their new friend. We hope to use soccer as platform to connect individuals on two different continents who may have never met otherwise.
The PLAYER PROFILES contain information like age, number of years playing soccer, position played, and favorite soccer memories as well as personal information about the youth's family in Cameroon and their favorite passtime (we are pretty sure its soccer!).
Our CFDP team in Cameroon is working now with our two schools to assemble the youth and take some PICTURES too!! Soon, YOU will be able to see the connections once they are made!! Many more good stuff to follow...
These two beautiful women are an example of the wonderful friendship that is creating with Cultural Immersions like this one CFDP hopes to facilitate for our friends in Montreal.
My friend Liz traveled to Cameroon in 2007 and 2008 and worked with us to build the water supply system in Barombi Village. Karen, also known as "Mami", made sure we felt at home in our two-room school house for the two months we spent in the village. She and Liz often spent hours preparing meals for our team. I currently find myself regularly asking Liz for recipes for Cameroonian dishes- which she recorded in her journal as Mami Karen offered them from memory. CHOP FINE !!! (Pidgin for 'We ate very well!)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Montreal Soccer Club Gearing Up for Travel to Cameroon
In planning for the 2011 Summer Expo - we have found one of the most exciting and ground-breaking activities we consider is something we thought possible only in the distant future...
In July, 16 young soccer players from Montreal, Quebec will take off to spend two weeks in Kumba Town, Cameroon, in beautiful, beautiful West Africa. By the time they touch down at the Douala International Airport, all things will be in place for an eventful two weeks to include CFDP training camps, youth soccer festivals, friendly soccer matches with local clubs, treks throught the jungle, heaping plates of wonderul exotic foods, fantastic West African music and dance, and the cultural exchange opportunity of a lifetime.
Founded in 1971, the Federation Sportive Soccer Salaberry has offered community-based soccer to the borough of Ahunstic Cartierville in Montreal for over 30 years. An affiliate of the Quebec Soccer Federation, the club has nearly 800 players on more than 50 teams ranging from four years to senior level (ages 18-23).
Our team on the ground is very excited to welcome FSS!
In July, 16 young soccer players from Montreal, Quebec will take off to spend two weeks in Kumba Town, Cameroon, in beautiful, beautiful West Africa. By the time they touch down at the Douala International Airport, all things will be in place for an eventful two weeks to include CFDP training camps, youth soccer festivals, friendly soccer matches with local clubs, treks throught the jungle, heaping plates of wonderul exotic foods, fantastic West African music and dance, and the cultural exchange opportunity of a lifetime.
Founded in 1971, the Federation Sportive Soccer Salaberry has offered community-based soccer to the borough of Ahunstic Cartierville in Montreal for over 30 years. An affiliate of the Quebec Soccer Federation, the club has nearly 800 players on more than 50 teams ranging from four years to senior level (ages 18-23).
Our team on the ground is very excited to welcome FSS!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
CFDP
A SHIPPING CONTAINER WILL SOON BE PACKED AND SET SAIL FOR THE PORT OF DOUALA, CAMEROON.
INSIDE THIS CONTAINER:
SOCCER BALLS
JERSEYS
SHINGUARDS
SHORTS
SOCKS
FOOTWEAR: BOOTS, KICKS, CLEATS, SHOES
GOALKEEPER GLOVES
GOALKEEPER JERSEYS
REFEREE JERSEYS
WHISTLES
GOALS
CORNER FLAGS
OUR DESTINATION: AFRICAN SOIL
TO PLANT SOME ROOTS
TO GROW
TO BEAR FRUIT
FOR YEARS
FOR EVER
"LONG LIVE CFDP"
INSIDE THIS CONTAINER:
SOCCER BALLS
JERSEYS
SHINGUARDS
SHORTS
SOCKS
FOOTWEAR: BOOTS, KICKS, CLEATS, SHOES
GOALKEEPER GLOVES
GOALKEEPER JERSEYS
REFEREE JERSEYS
WHISTLES
GOALS
CORNER FLAGS
OUR DESTINATION: AFRICAN SOIL
TO PLANT SOME ROOTS
TO GROW
TO BEAR FRUIT
FOR YEARS
FOR EVER
"LONG LIVE CFDP"
Sunday, January 9, 2011
OFF TO THE RACES!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Well...most of the festivites of the holiday season are finished now and its back to work for the start of another year. No 'ho-hum' for us here with CFDP!! We are still celebrating!! We anticipate a groundbreaking year in 2011...one for the record books!
Today we had two kick-off meetings going on - separated by only a few hours...and a few thousand miles.
In Kumba, our team was busy working out details and assigning responsibilities for a number of tasks essential to operations early in 2011:
Coordinating our first PEN PAL program - connecting 16 young boys and girls in Cameroon with 16 young soccer players in Montreal, Quebec.
Maintaining our after-school programs with the same two schools in Nkalikum and Kosala.
Branching our after-school program to another village, Nkambe, in the North West Region.
Registering as a Legal Non-Government Organization in Cameroon and Coordinating Logistics for the 2011 Expo set for June and July of this year.
In Pittsburgh, we held our first US Team Meeting. We are a team of around 12(+) with a few constituents currently in other cities...and countries. Our goals for the first half of 2011 are simply summarized as follows: empower our team in Cameroon with capacity and resources to own and operate CFDP through 2012. More on our meeting later...Cheers to A Great Year!
Today we had two kick-off meetings going on - separated by only a few hours...and a few thousand miles.
In Kumba, our team was busy working out details and assigning responsibilities for a number of tasks essential to operations early in 2011:
Coordinating our first PEN PAL program - connecting 16 young boys and girls in Cameroon with 16 young soccer players in Montreal, Quebec.
Maintaining our after-school programs with the same two schools in Nkalikum and Kosala.
Branching our after-school program to another village, Nkambe, in the North West Region.
Registering as a Legal Non-Government Organization in Cameroon and Coordinating Logistics for the 2011 Expo set for June and July of this year.
In Pittsburgh, we held our first US Team Meeting. We are a team of around 12(+) with a few constituents currently in other cities...and countries. Our goals for the first half of 2011 are simply summarized as follows: empower our team in Cameroon with capacity and resources to own and operate CFDP through 2012. More on our meeting later...Cheers to A Great Year!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Check out our Friends in Cameroon!
While our team is busy organizing for an Annual Meeting to formally launch activities in 2011, we wanted to share some information about a great organization not too far from our home base of Kumba. We are very excited to work with them and have already started communication for projects this summer!!
United Action for Children (UAC) is a Non-Governmental Organization based in Buea, a city in the South West Region of Cameroon. UAC is a non-profit, philanthropic, and non-political organization committed to the development of a caring society for children and young people.Created in 1996, UAC has grown substantially over the past few years with the help of local staff and international volunteers!
UAC runs so many different Programs!!
Jamadianle School began in May 2002 as a nursery school with 11 children in a one-room schoolhouse. In the 2006-2007 school year, 465 students were registered and 16 classrooms were being utilized. Every year the school adds another class and will continue to do so until the oldest students reach class 6.
In 2002, United Action for Children (UAC) established a Vocational Training Centre to provide disadvantaged street- and rural youth with skills they can use to find work. Vocational training makes students more attractive job candidates, as well as providing them with skills that can be used for self-employment and contract work.
The UAC Community Sports for Development Program is aimed at facilitating the development and integration of young people into the society through sports activities with a view of providing appropriate methods and skills. UAC uses the power of football to mobilize children and young people particularly those living in rural areas channel their energy towards productive initiatives. In this program, we encourage young people to do cleanup campaigns in communities, cooperative farming and thematic discussions on issues affecting their growth and development.
Through “Kicking AIDS out of South West Region and Cameroon” campaign, UAC equips young people through Football, skills and life skills that will help them to guard against the deadly HIV virus and channel their energy towards productive activities.
United Action for Children (UAC) is a Non-Governmental Organization based in Buea, a city in the South West Region of Cameroon. UAC is a non-profit, philanthropic, and non-political organization committed to the development of a caring society for children and young people.Created in 1996, UAC has grown substantially over the past few years with the help of local staff and international volunteers!
UAC runs so many different Programs!!
Jamadianle School began in May 2002 as a nursery school with 11 children in a one-room schoolhouse. In the 2006-2007 school year, 465 students were registered and 16 classrooms were being utilized. Every year the school adds another class and will continue to do so until the oldest students reach class 6.
In 2002, United Action for Children (UAC) established a Vocational Training Centre to provide disadvantaged street- and rural youth with skills they can use to find work. Vocational training makes students more attractive job candidates, as well as providing them with skills that can be used for self-employment and contract work.
The UAC Community Sports for Development Program is aimed at facilitating the development and integration of young people into the society through sports activities with a view of providing appropriate methods and skills. UAC uses the power of football to mobilize children and young people particularly those living in rural areas channel their energy towards productive initiatives. In this program, we encourage young people to do cleanup campaigns in communities, cooperative farming and thematic discussions on issues affecting their growth and development.
Through “Kicking AIDS out of South West Region and Cameroon” campaign, UAC equips young people through Football, skills and life skills that will help them to guard against the deadly HIV virus and channel their energy towards productive activities.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Report on the Barombi Kang Youth Camp on Dec.28th
Provided by:
Aminkeng Brian
Kumba, Cameroon
The camp started at exactly 9:00am,immediately after the registration exercise which began at 08:15.We recorded a total number of sixty five(65)youths from this community, with five(5)of them being girls and sixty(60)boys, and their ages ranged from 12-23.Present at this camp were the following board members: Dickson, Nenne, Caroline, Wallace, Ashu and myself.
The youths were subdivided into three groups of twenty (20) each, with two board members per group. During the camp, the following topics were discussed; Adolescence, Healthy Relationships, Teenage pregnancy, HIV AIDS and lastly Communication with Parents.
So much emphasis was laid on the last three topics because the Youth Community President revealed that youths were increasingly becoming parents(boys and girls)as early as sixteen(16). Also some were so much involved in alcohol and drug consumption, leading them to physically abuse their parents on many occasions. Thus we had to spend much time on these topics, to try to enlighten them on the dangers and consequences of being involved in such acts. Their general participation during the discussions was encouraging. Though in the beginning they were a bit timid and withdrawn, they later on opened up thanks to the jovial atmosphere we created around the camp. We also pointed out to them the health, psychological and social consequences of fathering a child at the tender stage of adolescence.
When it came to the football drills, the youth were very enthusiastic about the various ones we presented to them. They were ready to try drills like the inside drag, dribbling between the cones, precise passing of the ball, both short and long passes and lastly, movement on and off the ball. During these exercises, they could easily perform it with their right legs, but when it came to them doing it with the left, the was a problem. Thus we had to ask them to do it repeatedly till we saw some improvement. But what most of them excelled in was the passing of the ball, both short and long passes.
Worth noting is that we had a water break of about 20minutes. Also the discussions were mostly done in the morning, reasons being that since we are in the heart of the sunny season in Africa, it was good to discuss these topics when their brains were still fresh and the morning was the appropriate period. So after water break and lunch in the afternoon, we mostly concentrated on other football drills. Later on at around 2pm, we organized a mini tournament of30 minutes each to see if they could put into practice some of the drills learned. And the result was encouraging.
To crown it all, the camp was a success, especially as we had the support and participation of the President of the youths in the community and some elders. Also not forgetting open hands the Chief of this rural community, Chief Akama welcomed us.
Aminkeng Brian
Kumba, Cameroon
The camp started at exactly 9:00am,immediately after the registration exercise which began at 08:15.We recorded a total number of sixty five(65)youths from this community, with five(5)of them being girls and sixty(60)boys, and their ages ranged from 12-23.Present at this camp were the following board members: Dickson, Nenne, Caroline, Wallace, Ashu and myself.
The youths were subdivided into three groups of twenty (20) each, with two board members per group. During the camp, the following topics were discussed; Adolescence, Healthy Relationships, Teenage pregnancy, HIV AIDS and lastly Communication with Parents.
So much emphasis was laid on the last three topics because the Youth Community President revealed that youths were increasingly becoming parents(boys and girls)as early as sixteen(16). Also some were so much involved in alcohol and drug consumption, leading them to physically abuse their parents on many occasions. Thus we had to spend much time on these topics, to try to enlighten them on the dangers and consequences of being involved in such acts. Their general participation during the discussions was encouraging. Though in the beginning they were a bit timid and withdrawn, they later on opened up thanks to the jovial atmosphere we created around the camp. We also pointed out to them the health, psychological and social consequences of fathering a child at the tender stage of adolescence.
When it came to the football drills, the youth were very enthusiastic about the various ones we presented to them. They were ready to try drills like the inside drag, dribbling between the cones, precise passing of the ball, both short and long passes and lastly, movement on and off the ball. During these exercises, they could easily perform it with their right legs, but when it came to them doing it with the left, the was a problem. Thus we had to ask them to do it repeatedly till we saw some improvement. But what most of them excelled in was the passing of the ball, both short and long passes.
Worth noting is that we had a water break of about 20minutes. Also the discussions were mostly done in the morning, reasons being that since we are in the heart of the sunny season in Africa, it was good to discuss these topics when their brains were still fresh and the morning was the appropriate period. So after water break and lunch in the afternoon, we mostly concentrated on other football drills. Later on at around 2pm, we organized a mini tournament of30 minutes each to see if they could put into practice some of the drills learned. And the result was encouraging.
To crown it all, the camp was a success, especially as we had the support and participation of the President of the youths in the community and some elders. Also not forgetting open hands the Chief of this rural community, Chief Akama welcomed us.
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