Universities Fighting World Hunger (UFWH) is a partner of the UN World Food Program and a catalyst mobilizing universities across the nation and around the globe to make fighting hunger a core value of higher education institutions worldwide. Like UFWH, we too care about hungry people. And while i-ACT is focusing on the unique power of play to improve the lives of children and youth, there is no doubt an inseparable link between nutrition and sport. Which is why we’re so proud to partner with the passionate students of UFWH striving to solve global hunger.

A big THANK YOU to UFWH for organizing and hosting the event, and going above and beyond their mission to end global hunger by inspiring others to support Darfur United.

Spreading Peace through Sport,

Sara-Christine

Soccer has always been a passion of mine, and one that’s shared by millions around the world. The Darfur United Soccer Academy is a chance to turn this passion and friendly rivalry (fans of Barcelona and Real Madrid divide the camp) into a way forward for the children and youth of Darfur.

The men who participated in Darfur United’s journey to the Viva World Cup last year vividly remember the attacks on their villages in Sudan. While the participants of the Darfur United Soccer Academy might be too young to remember, they live in a place surrounded by trauma with little psycho-social resources or support. They’ve had the normality and the joys of their childhood robbed, and in turn have had no chance to be real children who play and live carefree.

I hope that the Darfur United Soccer Academy not only provides a safe place for children, boys and girls, to come together from different tribes to play, but also a place where they can simply be children. Play is a human right. Play helps our children and youth be well rounded, gain confidence, and grow as leaders. The Darfuris deserve this too.

We are a long way off from our $45,000 needed to launch the Academy in camps Mile and Kounoungo. Generous communities and individuals have given $10,605 so far and we want to launch this fall. Help us be part of giving children and youth back their childhood.

There are several ways you can support the Academy.

1. Join us at ONE STRONG KICK on May 11. If you can’t attend, consider participating in the raffle. This event is sponsored by Justin Vineyards and Wine and Mi Casa Tequila and hosted at a stunning private home in Palos Verdes, CA.
2. Start a gently new and used gear drive in your community or approach local businesses to be a drop off site. We have regional volunteers ready to help make your drive a success. We are looking for soccer balls, cones, jerseys, pop up goals, and referee gear. You can use this poster!
3. Throw a DU Soccer Academy fundraiser in your community. We have lots of ideas, and will support you in anyway we can!

You can contact me at ktj@iactivism.org or our Darfur United Project Coordinator, Sara-Christine Dallain at scd@iactivism.org.

Darfur United Soccer Academy has been building momentum and support, and our new goal is to launch the first-ever Darfur United Soccer Academy in July 2013! The first Academy will take place in refugee Camp Mile. In order to reach our goal we will need to raise $46,625. To get there we’re hosting our second annual One Strong Kick fundraising event in May, and we’re working with local businesses, schools and soccer clubs to increase awareness and support. The launch of the DU Soccer Academy will be a collective effort. So please join us, get your community involved and be a part of bringing the joy of soccer to the Darfuri refugee children!

Sara-Christine

I’m back in Camp Goz Amer on i-ACT 14 and I ran into Darfur United team captain, Souleyman. He’s so excited to hear that Darfur United will continue competing internationally and that the DU Soccer Academy is coming together.

Please help support the Academy by donating. Souleyman sends his thanks!

The goal of kicking-off the Darfur United Soccer Academy in Camp Mile in January 2013 is quickly approaching! In order to garner more support, we’ve been reaching out to local businesses in our community, and we’re asking you to do the same!

Here’s the idea:

• Print out the two PDF’s presented on this post to bring with you.

• With the PDF’s in hand, visit 3 to 5 businesses in your community that you think might have an interest in supporting soccer programs for Darfur refugee children.
• Instead of asking for a direct donation, ask the business if they’d be willing to display a “Dollars for Darfur” flyer at their register. This flyer asks customers to add just $1 to their purchase in order to support the DU Academy.
• The business has the option to match the total amount of $1 donations.
• At the end of December 2012, you collect the funds from the store or a check can be mailed to i-ACT.
• In return, i-ACT will be sure to make public announcements about your effort and the stores support on Facebook, twitter and our website and blog.

It’s an easy concept, but the support will go a very long way! Plus stores are already proving to love the DU Academy program. This weekend I visited five soccer and sports stores around Los Angeles and the DU Academy program was well received!

Please contact me at scd@iactivism.org if you’re interested in helping us, or if you have any questions or ideas! Also, I’d be happy to send you more information about DU Academy!

Let’s make it happen team!

Cheers,
Sara-Christine