The Fredericton District Soccer Association excited to partner with East and Central African Association for Indigenous Rights (ECAAIR) to support the ‘Play for Peace’ program.
At FDSA Rec Jamborees Saturday August 18th, ECAAIR will be on-site at Nasis MS, Scotia South, Scotia North & Barker St Fields accepting donations of used/new kits &/or monetary donations. You can also DONATE HERE
Participation in organized sports is critically important to the physical and mental well being of children and young adults. For youth in the North and South Kivu Provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where civil war, extreme poverty, coordinated sexual violence and lack of psycho-social programs have caused tremendous suffering, sport is even more critical.
The Canadian Institute of Health Research states that, “research consistently shows that participating in sport and exercise significantly improves health and well being across three interconnected domains: physical, psychological and social.”
In addition, participation in sport is a useful way to bring people together to work towards a common goal, show respect for others and share space and equipment. All of these aspects are crucial to peace-building processes and are critical for children to learn in places where peace is so hard to establish.
ECAAIR is building the principles of peace while contributing to the physical, mental and social wellbeing of young people through the Play for Peace program. Play for Peace provides soccer and volleyball uniforms and equipment to schools in North and South Kivu, DRC so that young people can experience the pride and self-esteem that comes from representing their school in sport, while improving their physical, mental and social well being.
The United Nations Report on the International Year of Sport and Physical Education highlighted the benefits that sport can bring in building national identity, something the DRC is in need of. A study from Liberia shows that soccer is considered “a ‘neutral’ pursuit – a common cultural property unspoiled by war”. During the civil conflict in that country, soccer tournaments were considered the only occasions that produced a sense of national unity.
Therefore, ECAAIR is asking Canadians to support individuals or teams in the DRC by sponsoring their soccer or volleyball kit, or by making a donation of any amount that will be put towards purchasing their kit.
Here is what your donation provides:
$1,540 sponsors a soccer team – kit (jerseys, shorts, socks and shoes) for 22 players, plus two balls
$700 sponsors a volleyball team – kit (jerseys, shorts, socks and shoes) for 12 players, plus two balls
$65 sponsors one soccer player kit (jersey, shorts, socks and shoes)
$55 sponsors one volleyball player kit (jersey, shorts, socks and shoes)
$40 provides one pair of soccer shoes
$35 provides one pair of volleyball shoes
$25 provides one pair of shorts and a jersey for either soccer or volleyball or a ball
Donate here! (If you wish to specifically sponsor one sport, please indicate the sport that you are sponsoring in the message section on the donation page.)
