Soccer Shoe Campaign 2018

#ChistmasGiftSoccerShoes #SoccerForHope #SoccerForChange #NextStar #ChistmasGiftSoccerShoes #SoccerForHope #SoccerForChange #NextStar


On 5th December 2018 we made a call to our network of friends and well wishers to join hands with us in our annual Soccer Shoes Campaign Gift by donating quality soccer shoe/s to the young stars who aren't in a position to acquire one of the most valuable resources in their soccer career. Many young people play with bare foot not knowing the risks they expose themselves playing in bad surface soccer pitch in the community, on the other hand there is a big gap in acquiring a soccer shoe, soccer balls, soccer Cons, tracksuits, uniforms etc.

 At Wilsen Initiative we want to bridge gap by providing the most basic resource like soccer balls, quality training, uniforms, etc. This December our target was to reach 20, but by today were are happy to acquire 30 soccer boots since we made the call. The campaign started the year 2000, whereby a total of more than 300 young stars have been reached.

Come, 1st Jan 2019, the campaign will not come an end, but will enter into the open contributions where anyone can add to the basket gift at their call through the year.

Other related links;

http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2018/12/giving-back-through-soccer-shoe-campaign.html
http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2013/08/change-that-starts-from-within.html
http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2016/06/you-cant-miss-to-watch-right-to-play.html
http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-reminiscence-of-football-shoes.html http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2014/12/soccer-shoes-boots-campaign-right-to.html

Thanks to Pieter Jan de Bruijn, Pauline de Bruijnn, George Kamau, Kamuzi Banda, Roseline Nanah, Kate Syprine Nyarsojay, Esther Mazira and Ernesto Spruyt for your contributions. In a special way we want to wish you all the best in 2019, and may God bless the work of your hands.

 Note; The shoes will be handed over to the players on 1st January 2019. Other related links;

MORE THAN A FOUNDER - 2018 Digest!

 #IntrinsicValue I'm a Champion, Counting my blessing... #SocialEntrepreneurshipJourney #TheJourneyOfFounders #InTheMindFounder Every founder goes through a series of events before living the desired dream; from rejection, success, failure, lack of funds, team, ideation, partnership, stagnation, pressure, etc.

Today I want to share one the perspective as experienced in my journey, being passionate about other people's progress and well being isn't an easy call and not meant for the faint-hearted. Only those who embrace the act of love, compassion, dedication, humility, persistence and empathy, always strive to create many great possibilities, moments and transformation in their life and that of others when they are they are alive and their legacy last even when they are gone.

#ActionOriented #ResultOriented

I have learned that how I think, observe, feel and act contribute towards the pathways of great possibilities. #SocialEntreprenuership The journey of a social entrepreneur isn't easy to activate toward the desired direction or goal. A single action isn't enough, you have to create a chain of actions, tell your story and empower others to tell their own story. Rejection, disappointment, failure, missed targets, low energy, ‘burnout’’, lack of funds, etc. will always compete with your efforts and focus towards achieving the desired goal.

Achieving a milestone starts with how you embrace every moment towards unlocking the next possibility #AttitudeAltitude #PositiveAttitute As a founder I have faced low moments to an extent of calling it quit. But through the simple action of encouragement, support, teamwork, energy, etc. that has come from my network of friends and family has always kept me going, reflecting back where I have come and what I'm yet to achieve. Maya Angelou said “ I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

In the 2000 I started the Soccer Shoe Campaign to assist underprivileged young soccer stars acquire quality soccer shoes that would help them avoid injuries and boost their self esteems toward pursuing their soccer career despite their situation. So far we have reached more than 300 since inception and by the end of December 2018 we target to reach at least twenty more.


In a big way I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey especially in 2018. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and prosperous new year. Let us do more in 2019 and beyond #InspiredWilsenInitiative

10 People You Are Most Likely to Meet in 2019 Around an IDEA

 #StartUP101 Even though our pathways might not be the same everyone goes through a process of actualizing an idea. At the center of any idea are the people you will meet either as partners, consultants, target audience, competitors, investors, staff etc.

 I believe that nobody is immune to generate ideas; the real game is in implementing of those ideas and seeing them through different phases. This thought process I have gathered reflecting back on the tournament idea I initiated back in 2011 dubbed Mathare North Festive Season Soccer Tournament currently in the 7th edition. Below are ten people you are likely to meet in your Start-Up journey;

1.  Those who think the idea is great while also creating many hypotheses and do nothing about it. (Idea Generators). 
2. Those who make great ideas happen. (The Doers / Change makers / Entrepreneurs). 
3. Those who think they have unique ideas (Thinkers). 
4. Those who think and work around finding even better ideas than what is currently in use. (Pacesetters / Innovators). 
5. Those that goes with any idea (Yes team).
6. Those that think that there are no great ideas (Perfectionist).
7. Those who believe in the idea and do nothing (Cheer squad).
8. Those that will look for meaningful partnership around the same idea (The Connector).
9. Those who will invest in the idea (The Investor). 
10. Those that will watch the idea evolve and claim credit. (The talker)

My biggest wish for 2019 is to connect more with action and result oriented personalities like some of you guys in 2018. You know yourselves, thanks for believing in the IDEA, and you played your part to MAKE IT HAPPEN. 1% IDEAS, 99% ACTION

The Secret of Building a Strong Alumni Network for Non-Profit Organizations.

Today I want to take a pause and reflect on how alumni networks can be a great source of knowledge transfer, fundraising, mentor-ship, volunteers, future staff, organization culture and organization's story to the levels that can promote a platform for continuous lifelong learning and mutual benefit for all, only if it’s well structured. One of the key pillars of a successful organization is in its vibrant alumni network and how they are deliberately engaged in a meaningful activity that contributes towards achieving the vision, as opposed to only attending an end of year parties and ad hoc engagements.

The Network...It begins with interest and responsibility

It continues with relationships that are worthwhile

It ends with benefit for all

Photo by Robert Anasch on Unsplash

Over the last 16 years I worked with great youth organizations in Kenya, Uganda, Zanzibar and Tanzania. One of the challenges I have identified with non-profit organizations, is having a well-structured alumni network that runs parallel in supporting the organization mission and vision. In most cases the alumni portfolio is just an activity or several activities on the yearly calendar, rather than being part of a core organization program and organogram by having a department that is fully facilitated by the necessary resources to run effectively and efficiently in data management, planning, fundraising etc.

Seven benefits of having an alumni department rather than an ad hoc system;

1. Impact assessment through Monitoring and Evaluation: track and trace of alumni activities, timely data management and collation.
2. Relationship building: Building professional connection with current and ex-students through effective communication and professional relationships.
3. Research and Development: Matching current trends with what is being offered by the institution.
4. Meaningful alumni engagement: Keeping in touch with the alumni career progress that would be beneficial to the organization, current students and alumni. 
5. Target programming: Over the time the alumni network gets to grow and it can be overwhelming to manage everyone in the network if there are no clear systems in place. There is also a high risk of information overload on one subject at the expense of other important areas. The alumni network is a great source of future employees of the organization only if a department is established to engage, monitor and evaluate the most talented and deserving candidate rather than relying on other sources which might be vulnerable to abuse. 
6.  Well defined leadership: Current students know who to engage (department) when they transit into the alumni and also understand their role as alumni’s.
7. Expert Career Advise; No random calls to address the current students, a threshold and standard should be met before an alumni is engaged in subject matter. 

I strongly recommend having an alumni department managed by Alumni relations officer, Alumni liaison person, Alumni coordinator or Alumni Manager or whichever title is appropriate. In conclusion, everyone should be encouraged to give back to the organization that nurtured them to next prospects no matter how small. The organization should also create platforms for ‘open door’ policy rather than lock out systems once the students graduate.

 I love this quote by Warren Buffett. “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” So let’s not destroy the great organizations we have fought tirelessly to build, rather let us usher in the next generation that will live the same values we aspired and contribute towards even greater strides in ever changing World either in technology, sports, community developments etc.

Soccer Shoe Campaign, The Next Star!

 Today I handed over 3 pair of soccer shoes to three great stars in Mathare North. I want to thank my brother Kamuzi Banda and my sisters Kate Syprine Nyarsoja, Esther Mazira, Evaline Akida and Roseline Nanah for making it possible through their contribution in kick-starting the campaign. My target is to at last reach 20 young stars by 31st Dec 2018. Now I'm left with 17 more to go...

I handed over the soccer shoes with my son Adrian. I invite you to join me in the annual soccer shoes campaign that seeks to connect young stars in Mathare slums with quality soccer shoes to avoid injuries but also to motivate them in their soccer journeys.


The campaign as so far reached more than 300 soccer stars since I started the campaign in the year 2000. This December we want to reach 20 more soccer players. Here we go. A quality second hand shoe cost approximately $18 (Kes 1,800). Get in touch with me through wilson.masaka@gmail.com on how you can make your contributions if you are around in Kenya or abroad.

 Related link;

Testimony by JohnMark Gachucha http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-reminiscence-of-football-shoes.html

Giving Back Through Soccer Shoe Campaign

Christmas is a season of giving and sharing with friends, family and with those less fortunate in the society. Each year I give back to the community by organizing / coordinating the annual Mathare North Festive Season Soccer Tournament (MNFSST) which I founded in 2012.

As things evolve at high speed one would think the quality of life would also improve at the same pace. It's unfortunate majority of young stars from humble backgrounds still play soccer barefoot on dangerous field that poses a big threat to their development.

Founding Philosophy;

"People who give don't necessarily mean they have an excess of the resource, but they are naturally born with the heart of giving and sharing." - Wilson Masaka, founder Wilson Initiative (Wi) 

I invite you to join me in the annual soccer shoes campaign that seeks to connect young stars in Mathare slums with quality soccer shoes to avoid injuries but also to motivate them in their soccer journeys. The campaign as so far reached more than 300 soccer stars since I started the campaign in the year 2000.

This December we want to reach 20 more soccer players. Here we go. A quality second hand shoe cost approximately $18 (Kes 1,800). Get in touch with me through wilson.masaka@gmail.com on how you can make your contributions if you are around in Kenya or abroad.

Other related links,

• https://wilseninitiative.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/soccer-shoes-boots-campaign-right-to-play/ 
• http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2013/08/change-that-starts-from-within.html

7th Edition of Mathare North Festive Season Soccer Tournament (MNFSST) – Senior Teams

This year’s tournament will run from 2nd December 2018 to 1st January 2019. A total of 15 teams, more than 300 players will be featured during the tournament.

The main aim of the tournament is to create safe space through soccer, especially during the festive season. Background of the tournament. During the festive season schools are closed and majority of young people idle around spending time in anything they think is necessary without a second thought and to their detriment during this period youth indulge in vices such as crime, drug abuse, endless parties just to mention but a few.

The foundation of the tournament is to create a platform where youth can spend their energy and time in playing or watching grassroots soccer where they connect with each other while they get life-skills from their coaches and community leaders. Since inception in 2011 we have had a total of 16 teams participating from within Mathare. \

During the festive season schools are closed and the majority of young people idle around spending time in anything they think is necessary without a second thought and to their detriment during this period youth indulge in vices such as crime, drug abuse, endless parties just to mention but a few. The foundation of the tournament is to create a platform (safe spaces) where youth can spend their energy and time in playing or by watching grassroots soccer where they connect with each other while they get life-skills from their coaches and community leaders.

 Main goals.

1. Safe space for youth during the festive season. 
2. Promote peaceful coexisting of people in the community. 
3. Promote soccer talents 

Areas you can support us;

1. Soccer balls. 
2. Uniforms. 
3. Officiating and communication.
4.  Documentary (Video and photography) 
5. Awards And many more... 

Contact me on; wilson.masaka@gmail.com

Four Of Types Of YOUTH

The youth factor goes beyond the age, there are FOUR types of YOUTH that I know through my interactions and wider networks as follows; The Trailblazer The Go-getter The Juggler The Seeker

Are you the Trailblazer, Go-getter, Juggler or the Seeker?

1. The Trailblazer (Elite and Privileged)

They have strong networks, sometimes they come from a wealthy family heritage that laid foundation for what they want or would like to become. If they aren't from the wealthy background, then they have established themselves through good education, networks, skills, talent and experiences that continue to give them engagement privileges for business, social inclusion or political participation at the dinning table with decision makers.

 2. The Go-getter (Mid Level Career)

 The have a good balance of skills, talent, networks and experience. But have to go the extra miles in finding opportunities and niche in their career especially by themselves. #SelfMade

3. The Juggler (Discovery Level) 

They tend to do more than one thing, trial and errors to gain more experience. It takes time for them to know what they really want in life especially in their career. Any road with opportunity for survival, they will take toward developing stable learning curve and future engagement.

4. The Seeker (Disadvantaged)

They are at the bottom state of the pyramid. They might be disadvantaged through direct or indirect factors (within / beyond their control) think of social, economical, Technological and political situations. They are disengaged not knowing what paths to take and might be experiencing high levels of poverty, discrimination etc.

We shouldn’t lose our eyes on the ball by only training youth skills to SURVIVE, but more importantly, they should also be equipped with skills to SERVE. - Wilson Masaka, Founder Wilsen Initiative (Wi)

Good read about Kenyan Youth  

https://www.aku.edu/eai/Documents/kenya-youth-survey-report-executive-summary-2016.pdf

Wilsen Initiative (Wi) Soccer for Change / Hope

At Wilsen Initiative (Wi) Soccer for Change / Hope, we encourage young-stars to pursue their soccer talents to the best levels that they can despite the hurdles they face daily.

 

We are dedicated in building bridges and acting as a positive catalyst for the young-stars to pass the hurdles like acquiring soccer balls, soccer shoes and uniforms that would motivate them transit to the next level of professionalism.

 

 We continue to encourage the well wishers to donate time, balls, uniforms, conns or anything that would help young soccer star reach their desired levels. Get in touch with wilson.masaka@gmail.com for any contributions or support.

  www.wilseninitiative.wordpress.com

Second Edition Of Mathare North Festive Season Soccer Tournament U12, 2018.

We are grateful to reach a successful final, Metro Youth F.C emerged the winners after defeating David foundation 2-0 in an entertaining match at the Drive-in Primary School. Seventeen teams participated in this year's edition and approximately 350 soccer players and 17 coaches participated
directly.

At Wilsen Initiative (WI) Soccer for Change / Hope, we encourage young-stars to pursue their soccer talents to the best levels that they can despite the hurdles they face daily. We are dedicated in building bridges and acting as a positive catalyst for the young-stars to pass the hurdles like acquiring soccer balls, soccer shoes and uniforms that would motivate them transit to the next level of professionalism.

Our goal is to have qualified soccer stars with the right skills on and off the pitch which can attract the next level of opportunities from the grassroots.

Our objectives;

1. Conduct soccer clinics where the players learn skills for on / off the pitch (soccer skills, employ-ability skills and 21st century skills).
2. Organize annual soccer tournaments for U12, U14 and senior teams.
3. Mobilize for soccer shoes and uniforms, among other important gears required to nurture grassroots talent.
4. Conduct first aid clinics, for grassroots soccer clubs.
5. We use soccer to drive forward social change.
6. Networking with other youth-led groups to foster peace and other social activities using soccer.
7. Use soccer as an agent for change whereby facilitating the teams in local and regional tournaments.
8. Using soccer as a tool to drive positive social transformation.
9. Learning other life-skills through soccer for example leadership and self esteem In case you want to make a contribution our doors are still open.
10. Mobilize resources for U12, U14 and U16 clubs/ teams.

Our vision is to see all soccer stars in Mathare North to have a soccer shoe that will protect them from injuries inflicted on them due to poor or dangerous pitch that they only have at the grassroots. Resources like soccer shoes, balls and uniforms are the bare basics a team requires but most of the teams at the grassroots struggle to reach the necessary networks or even mobilize for the funds to purchase the material and equipment. On our side, it has been a big challenge to conduct the yearly tournament in a sequential manner due to lack of funds. The first edition of the tournament was conducted in 2016, since then we haven’t been a position to successfully mobilize for the required funds and resource to run a successful tournament.

This year's tournament was sponsored by Moses Wambia who is one the young leaders in Mathare North. We thank him for the awards (trophy, winners uniforms, runners up uniforms, balls etc.). On the other hand, we thank Alive and Kicking for donating soccer balls to each team that participated.
Lastly, we want to thank all the volunteer referees, all coaches, Banda, Onyi, Mark, Masaka, Wambia and Daddy for their support in making the tournament a success and we hope the senior (7th edition MNFSST-2018 Seniors) will be successful too.

We continue to encourage the well wishers to donate time, balls, uniforms, conns or anything that would help young soccer star reach their desired levels. Get in touch with wilson.masaka@gmail.com for any contributions or support.

Donation box; Here is a list you can choose from;

1. Sponsor tournament
2. Donate uniforms
3. Donate soccer balls and  soccer cons
4. Training bibs
5. Training hours
6. Facilitate outdoor trip for the team (exposure visits and friendly matches).
7. Resource Mobilization. (time and expertise)
8. Soccer boots / shoes.

Soccer Balls Donation From Alive And Kicking

 Alive and Kicking make durable sports balls in Kenya, Zambia and Ghana, keeping adults in employment, helping children play, and raising health awareness through sport.

Today we received 17 quality balls that were given to each team participating in the ongoing Mathare North Festive Season Soccer Tournament (MNFSST-2018 featuring under 12 years).

We are grateful to join their list of communities who have received soccer balls as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). If you have a sports club we would encourage you to buy your balls at Alive and Kicking, they make quality balls, create employment and also donated balls to schools, disadvantaged communities and youth teams around the world.

Get in touch with Alive and Kicking;

•  http://aliveandkicking.org/shop/kenya/ 
• Facebook https://web.facebook.com/BallsForAfrica?_rdc=1&_rdr 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ballsforafrica 
• http://aliveandkicking.org/contact/ 

At Wilsen Initiative (Wi) Soccer4Change

Our Main Gooal ;

1.  We use soccer to drive forward social change. 
2. Networking with other youth-led groups to foster peace and other social activities using soccer. 
3. Use soccer as an agent for change whereby facilitating the teams in local and regional tournaments.
4. Using soccer as a tool to drive positive social transformation. 
5. Learning other life-skills through soccer for example leadership and self esteem In case you want to make a contribution our doors are still open. 
6. Mobilize resources for U12, U14 and U16 clubs/ teams.

Make a Donation: Do you want to be part of the community helping young soccer talent reach to stardom? Here is a list you can choose from; 

1. Soccer boots / shoes.
2. Soccer balls
3. Uniforms
4. Training bibs.
5. Training Cons 
6. Training hours 
7. Facilitate outdoor trip for the team (exposure visits and friendly matches). 
8.  Resource Mobilization. (time and expertise)

We always mobilize for soccer resources for youth teams/clubs in our neighborhood dating from the last 9 years of our establishment.

Let us know if you would like to add anything to our resource kitty .
Get in touch wilson.masaka@gmail.com

Related links;

• http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2018/11/mathare-north-festive-season-soccer.html
• http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-next-soccer-stars-in-making.html