Girls Soccer
Soccer, the most popular international sport, provides an opportunity
for empowerment through team cooperation, discipline, leadership development,
motivation, and self-esteem. The Mama na Dada girls soccer program
was initiated in early 2010 by Meghan Noone, who was inspired by her
visit to Kunya village in September 2008 and her own experience with
soccer. Previously, there has been no opportunity for girls to participate
in soccer in Kunya village.
Mama na Dada is excited to have the opportunity to support our village girls in expanding their skills and joy and integrate the learnings from soccer with the personal and leadership development programs we are currently involved with. We foresee approximately 20 girls initially being involved in the program. Integral to the program is its sustainability: we will support the girls in learning how to teach soccer skills, co-operative teambuilding, and positive conflict resolution to younger girls in the village. When established in Kunya Village, our girls will then help start soccer programs for girls in other nearby villages.
Click
here to donate to the Mama na Dada girls soccer program, and follow
directions to donate. (Be sure to designate select "Mama
na Dada from the drop-down menu and type "Girls Soccer" in
the second box asking for program info.) Your donation will help
supply equipment,clothing, transportation, and empowerment activity
facilitation for the girls of Kunya Village. Thank you!
Meghan Noone's Bio and Statement:
Meghan Noone, originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, began her
acting career in Hawaii before moving to Los Angeles. Growing
up, sports played a significant role in her life. She began playing
soccer at the age of 5. She played throughout her high school and college
years and went on to coach high school and youth soccer. She also worked
as a teacher for children with special needs.
In September of 2008, Meghan was asked by producer/director, Ray Johnston to be part of a documentary on modern day Africa. This remarkable journey had a profound effect on her. She had the opportunity to visit with the Massai and Samburu Tribes, learned about their culture, and shared her soccer skills and knowledge with the children at Mama Na Dada. This facility is an NGO (non-governmental organization) dedicated to the empowerment of African girls and women.
The Circle of Hope Day
Care at Mama Na Dada is where the children come every morning to get
clothing, food, education, medication for HIV/AIDS and Malaria. They
leave again in the early evening and stay in huts with their brothers,
sisters or extended family. After
hearing from the male teachers in the village that the girls were considered
too slow and too weak to play sports, Meghan realized the journey for
women in Africa was a very different one from what she knew growing
up in America, the land of opportunity. Meghan understood that through
soccer these women could become empowered. Combining her love of soccer
and working with children led Meghan to create the first girls soccer
team at Mama Na Dada. Many life lessons and parallels can be learned
on the playing field. The passion and freedom soccer brought to her
life enabled her to gain a sense of discipline, motivation, and self
worth. It is Meghan’s hope that through the game of soccer these
women and children will learn some of the lessons she learned and attain
their goals in life no matter how difficult.
After one month in Kenya, Meghan returned to Los Angeles to spread awareness for Mama Na Dada and raise funds to make the soccer team a reality. She shared her story with the producers of Ryan Seacrest’s new show “Bank of Hollywood.” She became a contestant on the show and won $22,000 for the Mama Na Dada Soccer Team and The Circle of Hope Day Care. Meghan will return to Kenya in August, 2010 to continue her work there. Please email megnoone11@hotmail.com to donate equipment.