Current Projects

 

Connecticut-Based Projects

Williams Soccer Academy - Windsor, CT (2023)

The Williams Soccer Academy was established in 2018 in Windsor, Connecticut. The Academy puts on inexpensive high-quality soccer camps organized and led by Kevin R. Williams in Windsor, Connecticut. The camps began in the summer of 2015 and have been running on a yearly basis since.

Futbol Friends is committed to sending financial support to Williams Academy each year to ensure the low-cost model can be sustained. In the past, our contributions have been used to purchase jerseys, balls, and other necessary equipment for the camp participants. See some of the children sporting their jerseys above!

Dig Usa bridgeport girls - bridgeport, CT (2023)

Starting in the spring of 2021, Futbol Friends began supporting the DIG USA Bridgeport Girls Soccer program. This comprehensive soccer experience now includes eighty inner-city players who, at no cost to them, practice two to three times per week under the guidance of professional coaches. The coaches, who also serve as mentors and role models, have seen progress on and off the field as the girls compete against more experienced, better funded teams on weekends in the Bridgeport area and nearby suburbs. 

FFI’s grants have helped ensure that everything is provided at no cost to the girls; including balls, cleats, jerseys, backpacks and jackets.

Note: At the end of May, the program will lose American Rescue Plan Act funding which has supported the teams for the past three years. In order to continue, DIG created a GoFundMe page. The girls’ season will continue through much of June and DIG would like to keep training going through the summer if possible. If you’re able to donate, you can do so here.

 

International Projects

Nonnewaug Athletics - Africa (2021)

We recently supported a shipment of equipment to our friends at Nonnewaug Athletics in Africa. The boys can be seen above shortly after receiving their new jerseys!

Likoni Community Team - Likoni, Kenya (2021)

The Likoni Community Team is our most recent project facilitated by our friends at American Friends of Kenya. Futbol Friends’ support was crucial to helping this small community team re-commence play during the midst of the global pandemic. See young players sending you their thanks above!

Red Rocks - Acts of Hope Foundation - Musanze, Rwanda

"One of our goals as an organization is to train disadvantaged children in soccer to a level that allows them access to opportunities like soccer scholarships and life coaching. Given sufficient facilitation, we believe we will be able to educate the children effectively granting a chance at a better future, higher level competition like national and in the long term, international."

150 children ranging between ages of 6 - 17. Looking for help raising money for uniforms made locally, soccer balls, shoes, shin guards, goal posts and educational equipment such as projectors and camcorders.

docteur.jpg

Docteur des Ballons

Zongo Boad District, Lome Togo

Mr. Akolly Etsri, AKA "Docteur des Ballons" fixes and makes handcrafted footballs and nets for clubs in his area utilizing only local materials. FFI hopes to raise enough money to fund a new holder, hammer, mallet, perforators, cutter, cloth, leather, glue, paints, machine, pump and net. This will enable him to donate more soccer balls and nets to children in need in his area. We are hoping to raise $1,000.00 annually for this project.


Wire Soccer Academy - Oyugis, Kenya

This group of 75 girls and boys love soccer and are managed by Coach Simon Okello. Wire's mission is to help break the cycle of poverty in Kenya by building stronger children, and stronger communities. They opened in the town of Oyugis and plan to expand to surrounding areas. As Okello says, "We believe the Scriptures are clear concerning helping those in need. We are commanded to do good to all people, to be generous and willing to share our resources with compassion and generosity. This is true as an organization as well as for each of us individually. As a basic aspect of the practice of our faith, we will share our material goods with those in need and will minister to them to the best of our abilities."