. #FootBallMadeMe #PlaySafeWithDinity #SkillUp
On 1st June we connected 20 young stars each with a pair of football shoes under the Next Generation Stars.
The 20 pairs were awarded to the football players (Next Generation Stars) that we had already identified from three teams in Mathare North.
The players join a growing list of more that 500 beneficiaries of the football shoes campaign since inception in the year 2000.
We also held a creative arts session for the youngsters that was facilitated by Mr. Patrick Mukabi who is an international renowned artists. A total of 70 children took part in the creative arts session during the Madaraka day public holiday.
The major aim of the session was to evoke a new level of thinking, creativity and teamwork.
A good read about Patrick Mukabi https://parentsafrica.com/the-godfather-of-art-patrick-mukabi/
More About the Campaign
Play Safe With Dignity is an ongoing community project under the umbrella of Wilsen initiative (WI) that seeks to equip the young emerging stars in Mathare North community with the right gears in the game (boots, uniforms, balls etc.).
The campaign also advocates for a different playing experience for kids from the age of 10 to 15 years from disadvantaged backgrounds playing football at the grass-roots levels starting with Mathare North.
We also organize training boot camps for the youth and children to learn different skills from creative arts, life skill, financial literacy, football clinics and creative ICT training.
Our main goal is to offer a different EXPERIENCE that will boost the young players self esteem off and on the pitch.
The backbone of the campaign is derived from our founder’s journey, Mr. Wilson Masaka who played football bare feet for at least 14 years that is before he made his first trip abroad with MYSA Kenya football teams in 1997, 1998 and1999, during the international prestigious Norway Cup in Norway and a tour of the Netherlands.
Quote;
” I believe that given the right platforms, support and motivation any child can perform well in all spheres of life. More than 25 years back, I can still remember how I felt during my childhood playing bare feet with the rest of the kids…
The Turning Point
” The turning point happened when the late Mr. Helge from Norway donated a pair of football shoes (boots) to me in the year 1996. After receiving the pair of football shoes, my self esteem and performance improved which earned me a place in the Norway Cup teams in 1997, 1998 (assistant team captain) and 1999 (team captain) respectively.” – Wilson Masaka +throughMylens and Wilsen Initiative (WI).
We know there are many who needs our support, but one day it will be their chance we continue to encourage the youth and children never to lose hope in pursuing their dreams.
Don’t Give Up!
The Creative Arts Session For Children Skill Up 1st June 2022.
Objectives;
- Encourage creativity and innovation through available resources.
- Inspire the values of life through Arts, for example peace building, innovation, awareness, creativity, collaboration etc.
- Encourage co-creation and intentionally create spaces that would boost the self esteem of the participants either working in teams or alone.
- Create a space for life-skills training, creativity and problem solving.
Thanks everyone who made this happen, just to mention but a few; Kate, Banda, BAs, Grasso, Coach Joe, PJ, Ernesto, Nana, pony, Onyi, Janet and Daktari.
The campaign continues, and we call for your support to help us realise the vision of offering a different experience to each child playing football in Mathare to play safely and with dignity with the right gear which will boost the performance and general self esteem.
You may donate anytime within the calendar. 1st June is one of the special calls to celebrate the national holiday, Madaraka day and our founder’s birthday whose journey inspired the campaign for the year 2000.
We Can Do IT!
We are inspired To Do More, Be More and Be Different
John Bunyan’s Quote: “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”
“I believe that given the right platforms, support and motivation any child can perform well in all spheres of life.” – Wilson Masaka +throughMylens and Wilsen Initiative (Wi).
~ “A drop of ink can’t change the entire ocean water, but it can still make a significant change in a particular place in the ocean.” – Wilson Masaka, Youth Advocate and Social Entrepreneur.
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Do More | Be More | Be Different
Related posts;
http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2020/10/soccer-balls-and-shoes-boots-campaign.html?m=1
Wilsen Initiative 