Empower Girls Through Soccer

We launched our girls league on January 31^st and the competition is already heating up. And while nothing brings more joy to them than having a soccer ball at their feet, there is even more excitement about the theme for this season: mental health. After the stress and strain of 2020, our girls are thrilled to be able to focus on mental health during soccer sessions and games. We are taking a close look at how positive relationships, service to others, and physical activity play an important role in our mental health.

While leagues are playing in 2 neighborhoods in Kumba, we hosted our first workshops last Friday and launched our 30-day Active Lifestyle Challenge. All the girls began a journey to do 10-minutes of physical activity each day. Our staff Nenne and Caroline shared exercise booklets and they worked through a variety of options so they can mix things up.

All participants will reconnect at the end of this month, before the finals, to check in on and hold one another accountable and see who finished the challenge. Many of the girls were excited about this initiative because they complain they want to play more soccer, even though they are limited in their free time. This initiative allows them to keep up with their love of the game in their everyday lives at home.

Speaking of love of the game, last month we asked our community share why they love the game. We had an overwhelming response from youth in Cameroon, CEOs, executive directors, advocates for social impact and a professional soccer player, too! Check out what they said!

P.S.  We're inspired to continue this work because of our girls and people like you who invest in us. Let’s keep building!

Links:

• Love of the Game video
• 10-Year Documentary