WHICH PROJECT HAS BEEN COMPLETED?
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 second-hand football boots for other football-loving kids 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.
WHY?
During our last visit to Ghana, we realised that the kids were playing with poor footwear and spontaneously decided to get them new football shoes. We are convinced that sport of any kind, but football in particular, makes children and young people strong for life.
Not every child will become a professional footballer, but good skills such as team spirit, concentration and, above all, perseverance – getting up again after defeats and carrying on – are learnt. Having their own, well-fitting football shoes could fulfil a formative dream for the kids, boosting their sporting performance and self-confidence.
HOW?
STEP 1
STEP 1: DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF FOOTBALL SHOES, SIZES AND COSTS
We started with Anne, Kofi and Kelvin asking all 64 children on the last visit to Ghana to draw their foot on a piece of paper and add their name, age and gender to find out their needs. Based on this information, we obtained quotes to determine the best price and calculate the cost per child. We took into account that the children would grow in the period from signing out to handover and adjusted the shoe sizes accordingly.
COSTS FOR THE SUPPORTER: FROM 10 TO 70 € PER FOOTBALL KID
STEP 2
CREATE A PHOTO GALLERY OF ALL KIDS’ FEET
All images of the kids’s feet were uploaded to our website and the project was publicised via various communication channels, but above all through personal commitment.
Fortunately, by mid-March we had found a supporter for every child and were able to buy 64 pairs of new football shoes and received 64 backpacks, 45 pairs of second-hand football boots and a pair of goalkeeper gloves from other donors. If it was allowed, we published the name of the supporter on our website. Those who preferred to remain anonymous were of course not mentioned. A donation receipt is available on request.
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.
OUR THANKS FOR THE SUPPORTERS: RECEIVE AN INVITATION TO THE EVENT
STEP 3
PERSONAL HANDOVER TO THE FOOTBALL KIDS OF ST. MARY PRIMARY SCHOOL IN TECHIMAN
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 shoes, goalkeeper gloves, backpacks and drinks. Chairs were set up at the side of the shop for the parents to take part in the ceremony.
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 collect their backpacks 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 children had their promised football shoes and a further 45 kids had their second-hand football shoes, not forgetting the goalkeeper, who received a pair of new goalkeeper gloves.
Before heading to the neighbouring football pitch to kick a ball around in the new footwear for the first time, all the guests were given a cool drink. After the football match that followed, 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 successful day and the successful project with a final group photo.
STEP 4
EVENT PLANNED – INFORM, ENJOY AND DANCE
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.
OUR WISH FOR THE SUPPORTERS: TO LEAVE OUR EVENT SATISFIED AND WITH GOOD MEMORIES
WHICH SPONSORS SUPPORTED THE PROJECT?
WHO?
WHAT WILL THE KIDS GET OUT OF IT?
CONTACT
Birgitt Smelty
E-Mail: mediarelations@akwaaba-techiman.de
