Thanks to the help of many supporters, we were able to successfully realise our eighth project. 64 football kids from St. Mary’s Primary School in Techiman, Ghana, received new football shoes, backpacks, goalkeeper gloves and 45 used football boots for other football-loving youngsters from the neighbourhood. They all love football – Ghana’s number one national sport – and often play with ill-fitting shoes and some even barefoot, but always with a lot of fun.
At the start of the Easter holidays, Anne, Kofi, Kelvin and Nils travelled to Ghana. In addition to their own luggage, each of them had a large bag packed with all the donations. Kofi had already flown ahead to organise the handover day with the coach and teachers from St. Mary Primary School. He had also involved his whole family in the project finale.
On site in Techiman, Kofi and Kelvin contacted the parents and kids and invited them to the handover day. Without further ado, the second-hand boutique was cleared out the day before the event to store the football boots, goalkeeper gloves, backpacks and drinks. Chairs were set up at the side of the shop for the parents to take part in the ceremony.
On 30 March, the time had come: the football kids, their parents and siblings flocked from all over, as did many other people who had heard about the event and wanted to take part. The club team, the coach and the teachers had lined up in front of the shop for the handover. Kelvin and his cousin Benjamin documented the handover via video and photography.
At 37 degrees Celsius, Nils gave an enthusiastic welcome speech, Kofi took over the translation and moderation and a teacher from Kofi’s family asked each child to come forward for the handover of the shoes. Anne and the family made sure that the shoes were correctly allocated to each child. The kids could hardly believe it when, accompanied by a family member, they were able to pick up their backpack with brand new football shoes. All emotions were represented, from disbelief and amazement to pure joy, gratitude and unbridled pride. The handover was captured in a photo, child by child. Two hours later, all 64 kids had their promised football shoes and another 45 kids unexpectedly received their second-hand football boots, not forgetting the goalkeeper a pair of new goalkeeper gloves.
Before heading to the neighbouring football pitch to kick a ball around in the new shoes for the first time, all the guests were given a cool drink. After the subsequent football match, the top scorer was honoured by Nils and received a brand new football. It was done: overjoyed, but also totally exhausted, the team was able to conclude this great day and the successful project with a final group photo.
The date has not yet been finalised, but an event is planned to report on our trip and the handover of the football kits to the children. We will be serving small Ghana snacks and cool drinks as well as being available for questions and suggestions. Of course, African music should not be missing. That’s why we’ll play music for those who want to dance with us. Our aim is to thank all supporters and celebrate the joint project.
Here are some impressions of the handover:
