Thats What it is All About

There are very few experiences in my life that can top what I have been a part of the last couple of days. It is so funny how we sometimes get caught up in the “hoopla” of events/work and forget the real reason we do the work we do. The last few days have been the greatest reminder for me of why I wanted to come and work in Africa. I have spent time with the most amazing people and children to the point that there overwhelming sadness that it is over and a harsh realization of the struggles that many of the people face on a daily basis.

Last night, I was taking home a group of DJ’s that we have used a lot in the last week and one of them said that he wished he was a white man because how easy his life would be. The statement literally shook my entire being. When I got out of the car all three of them hugged me and said they were going to miss me. There are so many times that I wish that there was more I could do!!

In Khayletisha you look around and see the living conditions and its sad but in the last couple of days, it has really HIT me. I cannot even explain the intensity of the emotions of sadness, concern, passion, excitement and appreciation that I have experienced since Thursday. On Thursday night, the teams that were playing in the tournament had an open forum discussion about “life” and their stories. The first girl that shared, talked about how her mom had passed away and that when she hears other people talking about their mom, it makes her wonder if you mom would be proud of her. At the end of her story she shared how she likes to think that her mom would be so proud of her for being a part of the tournament. I don’t think that there is a person in the room that wasn’t proud of her!!

The next kid shared about how he had lost both parents in one year and how he has overcome this challenge; “living a good life”. It is so amazing the strength that these kids have and how they are resilient to the world around them. A major highlight for me of the evening was when an 18 year old girl from Lesotho shared about being HIV positive. She said there was a time in her life when she started to act like a “women” and acting in a way she thought a woman should act. She concluded her story by staying “if only I would have known myself – before it was too late”. There are almost no words that can describe the atmosphere of the room. One of the leaders of the Brazilian delegate team started to cry. I was so moved that I went and sat on the floor by her. Even though we don’t speak the same language and I had no idea why she was crying, I made a connection with her, that I will never forget.

At the end of the forum, one of the Brazilian players said that his life story started today,as after hearing all of these stories, his life really hasn’t been that hard. I still get chills when I think about!! What an amazing experience for these 15-18 year old kids! Thursday night was the perfect reminder of what this weekend was about. Yes, I was really excited about the opening and all of the excitement around it, but it helped me to remember that the most important thing is the KIDS!

Friday was really busy we had a lot of GRS board members and some important possible donors in town, a graduation and rehearsals of all of the performers for the weekend. It was a very hectic day but watching the groups perform at the field and seeing the excitement in their eyes was amazing. The best part was when the people from FIFA and streetfootballworld were discussing Saturday’s activities and the group called Heavenly Cortez and Angels of God were practicing the national anthem and everyone stopped what they were doing and listened.

The big thing about Friday was the World Cup Draw, they closed the major street in downtown Cape Town and built a big screen TV so everyone could watch. It was a large event for the city, but I didn’t go, I actually didn’t even watch it. I was out at the Football for Hope Centre with GC (our site coordinator) trying to organize the furniture that had been delivered by a carpenter in Khayletisha. Even though I missed the draw, I had so much fun!!!

GC is going to be the caretaker at the centre for the first month so he has to stay in the caretaker flat at the top of the centre. I had this terrible sense of concern when I was leaving the centre at ten and leaving him there. However, the centre had a perimeter fence with all night security staff and police. The centre even without all of that is a safer place to be than his actual house. I honestly feel blessed because I have always known the conditions our coaches live in, but I have never really had more than a superficial concern or sadness about it, until now.

Saturday, was so busy. The opening ceremony went very well! I was so excited for everyone who put a lot of work into it. The performances groups that I have been working with, nailed their routines. I don’t think I sat down until about 3 in the afternoon. It was so hot, that when I came back to town, I just went for a little swim in the ice cold water and it felt amazing. So many amazing things happened on Saturday, but Sunday was probably the best day of the whole week.

I got to the Football for Hope Centre at about nine, the atmosphere was so much more relaxed, everyone was doing what they enjoyed doing and having fun. The soccer games were amazing, a lot of them ending in shoot outs. For the semi-finals the stands were full of the local community, cheering on the home team Grassroot Soccer. For someone who loves being a fan of sports, it was beautiful. The crowds were singing and screaming, I can’t imagine what the World Cup will be like.

I have really enjoyed working with the performers so much over the last couple of weeks. I was so excited when all they were performing and watching the reactions of the crowd. When one of the groups were performing and the crowd was loving it, one of the guys that works for streetfootballworld came up to me and said “this is for you.” It was perfect!

Another special aspect of Sunday, was the handing out of the trophies to the winners. One of my tasks was to find a local artist to make trophies. I found a guy name Martin who is gifted in pottery design. He made 8 plates for the delegates, a fair play trophy and the winning trophy. They were beautiful! What was so amazing about this, is that we needed him to make a different winning trophy and we gave him about a week. He sent me and SMS (text message) that told me how he has cancer and this was the first job he had taken in a year and he had just had surgery. He said that he would try his best to get it completed by Sunday.

On Saturday night, I thought to myself why not ask Martin “Clay Guy”, to come and watch the final soccer games, performances and get to see his trophies handed out. I asked the people from streetfootballworld, and they agreed would be a great idea. Not only, did he come and watch, but he got to sit in the VIP seating area and hand out the Winning Trophy to the winning team. When I saw Martin on the field handing out the trophies it reminded that moments like this are what it is all about.

I got to exit the stadium walking with the FUTURE LINE dance group singing “Oh Happy Day”, there was no better finale for me of the weekend then that. They kids said how much they would miss me, but I don’t think they know how much I will miss seeing them or how highly I thought of all of them.

For me, I have made some great friends with the people from streetfootballworld and really enjoyed working with them. I had so much fun and laughed a lot. It really has been a wonderful couple of days!!

With Love,

Sarah