No.45 September 2005 |
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More than 3,000 youngsters in Lusaka, Africa, are all smiles after receiving a shipment of sports equipment and clothing through the Global Gear Drive.
The Global Gear Drive - created by the National Alliance For Youth Sports - collects new and used youth sports equipment from recreation agencies, companies and individuals that it distributes to children in poverty-stricken regions of the world.
The equipment was distributed to the Fountain of Hope and Word of Life Community School.
"Our school has been facing a lot of problems in sports equipment like footballs, netballs and volleyballs and this brought a big confusion which has lead to some of our friends to lose interest in sports activities and to stop coming for practice," said Sibeso Mwale, one of the youngsters at the school. "I would like to thank National Alliance For Youth Sports for the donation of these good balls and attire. This is an improvement and it is a very big motivation to me and my friends. I would to thank you very much and may God bless you."
The Alliance shipped more than 100 soccer and basketballs, as well as t-shirts, shorts, soccer socks, shin guards, shoes, sports bags, pumps and cones to Africa. Clement Mubanga Chileshe, coordinator of Sport in Action, is utilizing it in his sports programs.
Sport in Action is one of several groups that comprise Kicking AIDS Out!, an international network of organizations working together to use sport and physical activity as a means to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.
"It makes me feel loved to receive a ball which I can play with," said 15-year-old Agness Phiri.
"I am very happy because I will be able to learn many games using the different equipment," said 10-year-old Mwaanga Akabana.
"I want to say thank you to the people who donated the equipment because this will give me a chance to improve my sport talent," said 14-year-old Josephine Banda.
For more information on getting involved with the Global Gear Drive contact the National Alliance For Youth Sports at nays@nays.org visit www.nays.org or call (800) 729-2057.
Greg Bach
Communications Director National Alliance For Youth Sports Tel: 800.729.2057 Fax: 561.684.1141 www.nays.org ![]() http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 |