I kindly request your support

A taste of whats in store for me 

This July I am running the Minnesota Tough Mudder in effort to raise needed funds for my work in rural SW Ethiopia.  I am looking for individuals that would like to run along side me, as well as support via donations or simply sharing my efforts with your own networks.  Anything at all helps, and the more people that are aware of the fundraiser the better.

Please give my page a look and think about assisting at any capacity. Thank ya 

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tough-running-for-ethiopian-education/x/3718292#share

Training with a smile along side my moms bear looking dog.  

The post training exhausted look

The Ra'ey Woman

I am very happy to share that this Saturday the Ra'ey Football club held its first open practice for its new woman's team.  While the boys team played (and won) two friendly matches against a rival Addis club,  Kahlyn and I lead the girls through a variety of drills and a four on four scrimmage.  The eight girls that showed up were enthusiastic about the opportunity to play and be coached by a couple of ferengies. The practice lasted nearly an hour and a half and culminated with the girls joining the Ra'ey boys team in happily cheering on the second half of the friendly match.  

At the match's conclusion, the coach and I had a moment to talk with a few of the girls about their first football practice experience.  Each of the four we spoke with were very happy and incredibly thankful for the chance to join the Ra'ey football club.  All told stories of having very limited access to playing the sport they loved; overt discrimination, lack of materials and field access would soon be a thing of the past. The girls are all very excited for next weeks practice,  and have vowed to find other young woman to join in on the fun. 8 is a great start, but everyone is looking forward to that number growing exponentially in the coming weeks.

Kahyln and I are proud to be a part of something so positive for the young woman of Addis Ababa.

Some of the ladies after practice with their coaches

Sun was pretty vicious

Ra-ey Soccer

Before leaving Addis for Kembata-Tembaro, Kahlyn and I made a visit to a Ra'ey Youth Soccer Organization practice.  Kahlyn and I both grew up playing (Kahyln continued on to play on Seattle University's Division 1 program), and share a joy in  helping to provide access to the beautiful game.  My shoulder forced me into being the photographer of the day, while Kahlyn happily suited up. She was the lone girl on the field, but easily held her own, and gained the respect of the players and coach along the way.

Mikyas Woldemichael, a very good friend of ours, created the Ra'ey Organization during his trip to Addis last year.  While I was back in the States, Mikyas lived at my place in the Jan Meda neighborhood.  He noticed that many of the communities kids would fill the allys kicking around playing soccer using balls of bound discarded plastic bags.  Mikyas inquired if the kids would be interested in forming a team, so they could play competitively in Addis's youth club leagues, he received a unanimous... of course!  Mikyas took it upon himself to purchase some basic resources, balls, jerseys, socks and began coaching the team once a week. He received an out-pour of interest.  Over 25 kids excitedly met every Saturday morning to learn and play the sport they all cherished.

In late September Mikyas was returned to the States to finish his University Education and dedicate gimself to fundraising for the organization.  Before leaving, he hired an experienced coach, and since the Ra'ey club has continued.  Since last summer the small neighborhood team has grown greatly in management, number of players, and coaching.  The team is playing competitively, and is looking forward to expanding the club further.  In two weeks time the first girls try-out will be held.  The coach is hoping to field a woman's team before the rainy season begins.  Awesome huh?

Currently The Ra'ey board of directors (Mikyas moves fast) and Ethiopia Reads are discussing the integration of Ra'ey's programming with Team Tesfa and Ethiopia Read's Sports for Development.  I am thrilled to assist in laying the ground work for what will become a driving force in pairing sports with educational opportunities in Ethiopia.

Be sure to check out the Ra'ey Youth Soccer Organization's newly crafted website. You can read more about the club, the long term goals of the organization, as well as donate to the cause.

http://raeyyouthsoccer.org

Add caption