OUR STORY
Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." - Ryunosuke Satoro
It all started in the early spring of 2021 with a conversation, an idea, and a desire to make an impact in the world. Julie Schlafman’s friend and soccer coach at Cornell University, Berhane Anderberhan, always dreamed of doing more for the youth soccer programs in his hometown of Asmara, Eritrea. Berhane has witnessed first hand how under resourced the Godaif organization is for their youth soccer players. The majority of children wear plastic sandals to play the sport and the cleats to do have are collected at the end of every practice to ensure they don't go missing or get lost when they go home. Only ten balls are shared across the three soccer organizations in the city. Yet, the game of soccer is still loved and played by many of children.
During a phone conversation with Julie and her children (Haley, Riley, Lily and their little brother, Jack), Berhane spoke about how little the organization has and how he and his longtime friend (also Berhane) would fill extra suitcases with equipment during their visits back to Eritrea. It was at this moment that the Schlafman’s decided to make a difference. They knew how many cleats they had outgrown during the years and how many new soccer balls they received during each soccer season. They knew they could make an impact. What better way to start than to initiate a donation drive in their town and surrounding communities to collect soccer cleats and balls that could be recycled and reused by those less fortunate!!
The kids began to spread the word. They made fliers, decorated boxes, contacted soccer clubs and their coaches. They cleaned, scrubbed, and labeled all the cleats that would be sent. They deflated soccer balls, created marketing videos and took the time to write thank you notes to donors. Lastly, they tirelessly worked “Schlafman Sweet stands” to raise the exta money they needed in order to ship the boxes of equipment to Africa. They learned quickly that the cost of sending large boxes across the world via a reputable company (UPS) would not be cheap.
CBE wholeheartedly believes in the saying, “it takes a village.” Packages would never have reached Eritrea if it was not from the support of the entire community. We did it and we are ready to do it again!
Will you help?
OUR SUCCESS
Cleats and Balls for Eritrea - 2021
We did it. The Schlafmans collected used and new soccer cleats and soccer balls, throughout the spring and summer of 2021. They reached out to their community and surrounding soccer clubs. They raised money by having "Schlafman Sweet Stands" and marketed through videos and letters emailed to friends, family and their community. With the help of many, 4 boxes where shipped to Africa. The donated goods included 103 soccer balls, 94 pairs of soccer shoes, 33 warmup suits, 2 sets of team uniforms and other pieces such as goalkeeper gloves, referee flags etc. The Eritrean community and the Godaif Grassroots football program are beyond grateful for the donations.
"There is no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." - Scott Adams
Please view the Eritrean News clip and watch the distribution of cleats and the smiles on the girls' faces.
