CARE, the Atlanta-based humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, is partnering with Nike and the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA), a self-help youth organization linking sports with environmental cleanups, AIDS prevention, leadership training and other community service activities involving approximately twenty thousand young people (Mathare is a collection of slums in Nairobi, Kenya with a population of approximately 500,000 people) to bring a soccer team of Kenyan girls to Atlanta and other US cities to meet and play against local girls soccer club. In Atlanta, the Kenyan team and their coaches will participate in a training clinic with Clarkston favorites, The Fugees Family, on April 21 at Hallford Stadium followed by an exhibition match with Atlanta Fire United. On April 22, they will step out of the spotlight to attend an Atlanta Braves game.
MYSA, which is located in the Mathare area of Kenya, one of Africa's largest and poorest slums – uses sport as a youth development tool. Through the MYSA program, the Kenyan players are exposed to a comprehensive youth program that links sport with leadership training, AIDS prevention, cleanups and other community service activities. The MYSA soccer program enables players to receive a high level of training and coaching and many have played in international matches. Their exhibition games here in the US will enable the team to showcase their immense talent for US college coaches and scouts.
The KASE team is made up of academic and athletic rising stars. In addition, many of the players have battled social norms and opposition to girls playing sports. Their preparation emphasizes women's empowerment as a tool for success in obtaining gender equity.
"These girls have "won" against the backdrop of the recent ethnic and social conflict in Kenya. Nike believes in the power of sport as a tool to bridge cultural divides, resolve conflict and empower girls and women. The KASE team is a shining example of how sport brings young people together to form a strong and united team in the face of such difficulties," said Maria Bobenrieth, Global Director of Nike's Let Me Play program
"This partnership highlights the CARE "I Am Powerful" principle of encouraging women to become catalysts for social change and agents of their own development," said Wayne Lifshitz, Director of CARE's Sports for Social Change Initiative. The KASE program is an example of sport used as a vehicle for economic opportunities, leadership and self-development by empowering young women to achieve their goals on and off the field."
About CARE
CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Last year, CARE programs improved the lives of 65 million people in 71 countries. Recognizing that women suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places a special focus on working with women to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity, and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of way and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives. For further information on CARE's mission and programming, please visit www.care.org.
About Nike Let Me Play
Nike Let Me Play is a global initiative to drive positive social change and unleash the potential of youth through sport. It is directed at youth who are excluded from sport due to poverty, war, natural disaster, discrimination or cultural bias. It will be led by youth who believe in the power of sport and who have a passion to drive change.
