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Soccer balls to help HIV-infected African kids
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March 5, 2003
They’ve been kicked by the Clan and will soon be scoring points with a group of HIV positive youths in Malawi, Africa. Twenty soccer balls will be heading to the village, thanks to a little teamwork between SFU psychology program assistant Deborah Jopling and Clan soccer coach Dave Elligott.
Jopling learned of the youths, members of a village drama club, more than a year ago while visiting a friend working at the Ekwendeni Hospital in Africa. During a safari together, they talked about the youths' search for sponsorship. "They wanted t-shirts, so when they put on their educational plays they would look more official and get more of a positive response," says Jopling.
Each of the Zombwe AIDS Toto drama club's 30 members has HIV. Their group promotes awareness of AIDS and safe sex in a bid to address the widespread problem.
When the Coquitlam resident returned home, she approached friends and family to raise enough money for 30 shirts. She collected enough to design a logo with the club name printed on the shirts, and added other needed items, such as books, sewing kits and tooth-brushes, as well as a disposable camera, in the hopes they would send back pictures of themselves in their new shirts. The pictures arrived with a letter of thanks.
"They had various officials from the village attend the opening of the box ceremony," says Jopling. "It was so rewarding to see our gift make an impact."
The youths sent a thank you note and asked for continued support, and included a request for matching hats, as well as soccer balls, suggesting the balls would help keep youths out of trouble.
Jopling immediately contacted Elligott, who rounded up two bags of balls. "It's a great cause," says Elligott. "We were happy to contribute and see them go to such good use."
Along with the soccer balls, Jopling's next shipment will include 30 sets of shorts and hats, all with the embroidered logo. She also purchased more than 400 condoms to help the club members spread their message. Jopling hopes next to raise enough money to send five orphaned village children to school.
—30—
(digital photo available)
Contact
Deborah Jopling, 604.291.409; deborah_jopling@sfu.ca
Dave Elligott, 604.291.3685; dave_elligott@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323: mariannne_meadahl@sfu.ca
Jopling learned of the youths, members of a village drama club, more than a year ago while visiting a friend working at the Ekwendeni Hospital in Africa. During a safari together, they talked about the youths' search for sponsorship. "They wanted t-shirts, so when they put on their educational plays they would look more official and get more of a positive response," says Jopling.
Each of the Zombwe AIDS Toto drama club's 30 members has HIV. Their group promotes awareness of AIDS and safe sex in a bid to address the widespread problem.
When the Coquitlam resident returned home, she approached friends and family to raise enough money for 30 shirts. She collected enough to design a logo with the club name printed on the shirts, and added other needed items, such as books, sewing kits and tooth-brushes, as well as a disposable camera, in the hopes they would send back pictures of themselves in their new shirts. The pictures arrived with a letter of thanks.
"They had various officials from the village attend the opening of the box ceremony," says Jopling. "It was so rewarding to see our gift make an impact."
The youths sent a thank you note and asked for continued support, and included a request for matching hats, as well as soccer balls, suggesting the balls would help keep youths out of trouble.
Jopling immediately contacted Elligott, who rounded up two bags of balls. "It's a great cause," says Elligott. "We were happy to contribute and see them go to such good use."
Along with the soccer balls, Jopling's next shipment will include 30 sets of shorts and hats, all with the embroidered logo. She also purchased more than 400 condoms to help the club members spread their message. Jopling hopes next to raise enough money to send five orphaned village children to school.
—30—
(digital photo available)
Contact
Deborah Jopling, 604.291.409; deborah_jopling@sfu.ca
Dave Elligott, 604.291.3685; dave_elligott@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl/Julie Ovenell-Carter, Media & PR, 604.291.4323: mariannne_meadahl@sfu.ca