Street Football World – SPIRIT OF SOCCER
Spirit of Soccer’s main objective is to use soccer – the world’s most popular sport – to educate children living in conflict and post-conflict regions about the dangers of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). They educate, train and employ local soccer coaches and teachers how to deliver our curriculum, which uses easy-to-understand lessons related to soccer to teach children how to identify and avoid specific ERW threats they face in their communities.
They support these programs through the provision of materials, such as soccer balls, jerseys, posters and schoolbooks, branded with MRE messages and featuring top international and local soccer stars to promote message retention. Their approach is culturally-sensitive and adapted for local cultural, religious and social needs. Their focus is on a fun, safe environment which is inclusive to all and provides healthy physical activity, hope and happiness.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN IRAQ
Most Courageous Use of Sport Award (2009) and Dream Asia Individual Award (2014)
SOCIAL CHANGE ON A GLOBAL SCALE
Their impact is international, sustainable and diverse.
Through our global network of community organisations, they help empower:
1,195,000
Social change means different things to different communities – from landmine education in Cambodia to AIDS prevention in South Africa, from tackling homelessness in the UK to integrating refugees in Australia. Regardless of geographic region or social cause, the beautiful game has proved a versatile tool for changing lives.
Their role is to bring global support to these local initiatives. Since 2002, they have hosted close to 30 festivals and forums all over the world, raising awareness of their cause and bringing together the key players from our field. They have also developed more than 60 football pitches, centers and mobile stadiums in previously dangerous areas, ensuring more young people have safe places to play.
In addition, their ongoing support and dissemination of football-based development programmes has raised upwards of 25 million Euros for community organisations, while our consulting services have unearthed new investment opportunities for more than 50 public and private partners.
But this is just the beginning. Independent estimates from McKinsey & Company suggest the field of Football for Good could empower as many as fifty million young people every year. It’s time to unlock this potential.
If you would like to Donate to this Cause please follow the link to their page; http://spiritofsoccer.org/get-involved/donate/
Contact Info
For more on the amazing work they do go to; http://www.streetfootballworld.org/network-member/spirit-soccer
Published 19/02/16 by Mark McCluskey