A soccer program in Uganda that Leland seventh graders kick-started in 2016 grew from 20 youths to 500 and has become a vital resource for children and their families in poor and disadvantaged communities in Uganda’s capital of Kampala.
Now, the practice field these Uganda kids depend on is for sale, kick starting another fundraising effort from Leland alumni to purchase the soccer fields to be used for generations to come.
Leland graduate Shelby Fritz was in that seventh grade class where it all started.
“We had no idea all of our bake sales and equipment collection would impact so many students. We gave this program its wings, and we want to make sure it continues to fly by spreading the worked of this challenge and encouraging donations to purchase the field for this program,” Fritz said.
An anonymous donor has announced a $50,000 match with already $25,000 raised for the effort. The soccer facility in Uganda costs roughly $100,000.
Starting with one ball and a few dozen kids, and support of Kids First Uganda (KFU) Michigan, that program grew to a nationally recognized soccer academy with 500 players.
From bake sales to collecting equipment, the Leland students helped provide safe spaces and sport for 20+ at-risk youth. In the last 10 years Kids First Uganda (KFU) has raised money and in-kind support for operations, coaching, and life skills for hundreds of young players.
“Beyond sport, KFU Soccer has kept at-risk children off the streets by providing a safe space, mentoring, and wellness training. In the last two years nearly 100 players have been scouted and received scholarships to pay school fees. Children in Uganda must pay fees or they cannot attend school, so these scholarships mean the youth can attend school uninterrupted and relieve a major financial burden for struggling families,” Leland seventh grade teacher Judy Yoder said. “The Comet Community can be proud of the impact this program has had on hundreds of vulnerable children and their families. Recently, however, the owner of the field the kids practice on for free announced plans to sell it.”
Yoder started the project back in 2016 and serves on the board of directors of KFU.
With its field for sale and not other practice space available, the soccer program faces an existential risk. “When I return to Uganda in 2025, I want to fly the Comet colors at the facility. I invite you to join me and the LPS Class of 2016 in saving the KFU Soccer program,” she said. Mary Taylor, president and founder of KFU said, “KFU in Michigan has funded not only soccer, but vocational programs, a greenhouse, music programs, and sponsorships to support students’ school fees. KFU previously acquired property to house those activities,” she said. “Our goal is to make KFU Uganda self-sustaining. Acquiring this field not only saves the soccer program but can provide rental income toward meeting the sustainability goal.
Taylor says this is an urgent campaign, as the landowner has given KFU until late spring to raise the money to purchase the property.
KFU is a non-profit based in Leelanau County. KFU is a Christian organization that aims to empower and benefit children and women. They encourage, uplift and create an environment where women, children and youth can, through education, skills development, employment opportunities and development of individual talents, reach their potential.
Herbert, a Uganda youth, had a poor relationship with his family. His mother worked as a prostitute and would bring men home, chasing Herbert out to sleep in the cold. She used drugs and he would be tempted to try them. If not for the soccer project, he believes he would have become an addict or most likely died.
One rainy day Herbert came home after soccer covered in mud and his mother beat him, almost killing him. She ran off thinking he was dead and Herbert ended up living on the streets.
“I love soccer and was happy to play with other kids and able to wear jerseys and soccer shoes. I always thought I was born to suffer but playing soccer would make me feel human. Being part of Kids First soccer team won me a scholarship, but then the school closed during COVID, I gave up on myself and went back to the streets. I am grateful to my coach Alex who looked for me and encouraged me to come back to soccer practice and Joshua who told me not to lose hope and found me a sponsor so I could continue my education,” Herbert said.
You can learn more and donate at our crowd-funding site, http://fundrazr.com/ SaveKFUSoccer. You may also donate by credit card at our website, kidsfirstuganda.org, or via PayPal and Venmo. We accept cash or check at PO Box 705, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Kids First Uganda is a recognized nonprofit, so all contributions are tax deductible.
