Jim Walberg  met two high school students who are making a difference in the world – $1 at a time.  This story will inspire all of us.

I met Garrett and Kyle Weiss last week at my Rotary Club.  These are two high school young men who were inspired to make a difference in this world because of attending the World Cup  games several years ago.  The most impressive soccer game they watched at the World Cup include an African team with almost no support and from a war torn country.  They sat next to the small enthusiastic group of cheering fans and had the chance to speak with them about their country.  They were shocked at the conditions in the country and how difficult it was to participate in the game of soccer that Garrett and Kyle love so much, because of having almost NO soccer fields.

Garrett and Kyle  were so moved by their experience that they decided to see if they could raise a little money, send it to Africa, and continue on with their lives.  They never dreamed they would end up creating a movement that is now building soccer fields all over Africa…FundaField  was born!

The Caribbean LOVES soccer, and all eyes are on the 2010 Football World Cup  coming up in South Africa.  With statistics such as 75% of children in South Africa are surviving on less than $2 per day, have little or no access to sporting facilities, and are exposed to greater risk of violence, drug abuse and early pregnancy, there are not opportunities to do much else than to figure out how to stay alive another day.  FUNDaFIELD understands that sports can be a vital tool for the development of children in South Africa, improving overall health and physical development, improving mental abilities, developing social skills and interactions all while providing for the child to have fun and challenge themselves in the sporting arena.

The facts Garrett and Kyle have discovered about Africa were absolutely shocking to them.

• Twenty percent of Africa’s children die before the age of five. Africa has the highest infant mortality rate in the world:
• 118 African babies out of every 1,000 born alive die before their first birthday.
• One African in three is malnourished.
• More than 50 percent of Africans suffer from water-related diseases such as cholera and infant diarrhea.
• More than 40 percent of Africans do not have the ability to obtain sufficient food on a day-to-day basis.
• Nearly two million African adults and children died from AIDS in 2005. Nine out of 10 children living with HIV/AIDS are African. More than 12 million African children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. HIV/AIDS has created more than 14 million orphans – 92 percent of them live in Africa.

In magazines and on billboards, you have seen little picture squares that are used to create one BIG picture.   Their concept is the same with their fundraising efforts.  Their little squares cost $1 each, and they put your initials in that square.  When all of the little squares are sold – 100,000 of them, they will spell out, FundaField, and they will have reached their commitment of raising $100,000.  They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization so all of the squares you purchase are tax deductible.  Contact me if you would like more information about how to assist with this amazing project.  Until next time…