In Mathare North we have more than 20 teams and all these teams face numerous challenges that hinder them from achieving their desired dreams in soccer.
We continue to encourage the young-stars and their coaches to pursue their soccer talents to the best levels that they can despite the many hurdles they encounter.
At Wilsen Initiative (Wi) we strive to build a sustainable approach that will help eliminate the hurdles like lack of soccer balls, lack of soccer shoes, lack of exposure, lack uniforms etc.
We believe if we bridge these gaps in resources, we will boost both the coaches and players' self-esteem, amplify their performance, promote a more dignified environment for play while they avoid unnecessary injuries.
We also envisage a situation where the players will learn vital skills at an early stage in their soccer pursuit for example, they will learn more about the rules of the game, contracting, scouting, players' welfare, employability skills, entrepreneurship etc.
This knowledge will help in their transition from grassroots soccer level into the next level of professionalism and opportunities both local and abroad.
Resource Mobilization Campaign Inspired by Wilsen Initiative founder Wilson Masaka
Growing up in Mathare North as a kid of ages between U12- U14 years, Wilson Masaka played barefoot in most of his childhood years.
He faced a lot of injuries incurred because of lack of shoes playing in different soccer fields which poses a great risk for injuries. He faced rejection and low self-esteem whenever he played with other kids who had quality shoes and nice soccer jerseys. Even though he couldn’t do much about his situation he had a passion and love for the game which enabled him to achieve part of his dream which was to play in the Norway cup in Oslo Norway.
On his list of top achievements in soccer he cites the prestigious sports fellowship at Dekeyser now known as Do School in Hamburg, Germany and participating in Norway cup in Oslo, Norway. He played for MYSA Kenya teams in Norway cup in 1997, 1998 and 1999 respectively he acknowledged the annual international soccer tournament as his best life changing moments in soccer.
To date Wilson Masaka continues to train and mentor young emerging soccer stars from Mathare North. He is one of the pillars of hope through his network where he strives to support emerging soccer talents in his community and acquire necessary resources to uplift their soccer journeys especially by acquiring uniforms, balls and soccer shoes.
The first soccer shoes campaign that he started was in 2000, actually his first soccer shoe that he wore was donated to him back in 1996 by the late Helge, who was a friend of the Mathare Sports Association (MYSA) from Norway. Read more http://wilsenx.blogspot.com/2020/10/soccer-balls-and-shoes-boots-campaign.html?m=1
“ My soccer journey is what continues to drive me towards achieving a bigger vision where there will be no child playing barefoot in my neighborhood whilst offering the best platforms for upcoming soccer stars to see their stars shining from the local scene into the international markets.
I envision a model that will enable the young-stars to play in a more dignified environment where they won’t get unnecessary injuries and lack the basic needs to nurture their careers in soccer.
It is unfortunate to see similar hurdles existing today like those during my journey more than 20 years playing barefoot. During my early childhood development stage, my parents weren’t able to offer soccer shoes (boots) as one of the essential items towards my growth.
I started the soccer shoes and resource mobilization campaign after realizing that many youths are playing without shoes or if they have shoes it wasn’t safe enough to protect them.
This situation contributes to their low self-esteem towards playing to become future stars because there are no clear pathways from the grassroots to the top levels. On the other hand, the majority can't afford to buy shoes because parents have other priorities on their list other than buying soccer shoes.
I want to thank all my friends who have come on board sometimes on short notice in helping us acquire balls, uniforms and soccer shoes for the players and teams U10, U12 and U15.” Wilson Masaka,
Our Mission, Goal, Philosophy & Vision
Our Mission; to create safe spaces in soccer activities where children and youth receive mentorship, training and have fun to explore more in soccer activities and self.
Our goal to have qualified soccer stars with the right skills, positive attitude and well-equipped from the grassroots.
Our Philosophy We use soccer as a tool to drive positive social transformation and economic well-being.
- Our vision: Well-equipped (materials, equipment and skills) soccer stars in Mathare North.
- Our main objectives; Train at least 10 soccer grassroots soccer clubs in 21st century skills, life skill and employability skills per year. Organize one annual soccer tournament for U10, U12 and U15 years. Mobilize resources for at least 5 soccer teams per year, i.e., soccer shoes, balls and sets of uniform.
- Inculcate a saving culture where the players can start saving for the next shoe, especially those above 15 years.
- Talk to parents to save and support their kid’s development despite the many life challenges.
- Ensure a more collective team responsibility and contributions (merry go round) especially targeting the senior players.
Our mission is to assist young soccer stars in the urban informal settlements in Mathare play soccer in a more dignified way. Acquiring the right resources will protect them from unnecessary injuries while at the same time boost their self-esteem and aspirations to grow their talents into the next levels through structured exposures outside their neighborhoods.
“The dream of every child playing soccer in the informal settlements is to own a soccer ball and a pair of soccer shoes. We want to bring that dream closer to them at an early stage possible.” Wilson Masaka
Our Target Groups
Grassroots teams, players and coaches in Mathare North
The majority of the youth and children between 12- 25 years are the most vulnerable when it comes to crime, drug abuse, alcoholism and political intolerance. The same group also lacks the necessary platforms, mentors and resources to help them pursue their talents to the best levels they can.
Wilsen initiative (Wi) founded Mathare North Rangers F.C in 2010 to help nurture talent, mentor the children and youth in matters school life, entrepreneurship, leadership and soccer while providing a healthy and safe environment for the kids and youth to become responsible citizens in an environment infiltrated with many challenges.
During the weekends and school holiday, you will find kids roaming the streets engaged in nothing meaningful especially in urban informal settlements. This situation poses a great risk in children and youth well-being by blocking them from exploring more of what they can become by focusing their energy on talent and skills development.
Next Generation Coach (NGC)
The question is how much resources have been invested in grassroots coaches to become better tactically on the field and great role models off the field? Next Generation Coach (NGC) is a program by Wilsen Initiative (Wi) under soccer for change that seeks to mentor the grassroots community coaches acquire vital skills in personal branding, work ethics, technical skills, leadership, business skills etc.
The Challenge
Resources like soccer shoes, balls and uniforms are the bare minimum a team requires, but most of the teams at the grassroots struggle to get the necessary networks or even mobilize for the funds to purchase the materials 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.
We don’t have the required resources to live our full desire of helping grassroots clubs and players acquire the right gears from soccer shoes (boots), balls, uniforms etc.
We solely rely on well wishes support to make it happen for the teams, together we can reach all the teams before 2030.
The majority of teams, especially from the informal settlement lack the necessary resources and support to make the soccer journey of a young star painless. Below are some of the main highlights;-
Lack of transport to and from tournaments.
No uniform for the team and if they have, it’s either one set and worn out.
Quite a number play barefoot on gravel and bumpy fields prone to injuries.
In case of injury, lack of necessary medical attention and lack of basic first aid.
The majority of the coaches lack the necessary on and off the pitch technical and soft skills.
Lack of dedicated space for kids to play.
Lack of enough exposure to play locally, regionally and internationally.
Lack of planned and timed transition from one age group to the next one and still maintain high standards and interest to play even at the professional levels.
"My mission is to assist young soccer stars in the urban informal settlements in Mathare play soccer in a more dignified way. Acquiring the right resources will protect them from unnecessary injuries while at the same time boost their self-esteem and aspirations to grow their talents into the next levels through structured exposures outside their neighborhoods." Wilson Masaka - Volunteer Resource Mobilizer Mathare North Rangers F.C / Community grassroots soccer.
Our target is to at least reach 35 young stars and 5 teams with soccer boots, uniforms and balls per year. On the other hand, organize one exposure visit outside the neighborhood and offer one master life skill session
Ongoing activity through the year and areas of possible collaboration;
-
- Soccer shoes (boots) campaign for children U10, U12 and U15.
- Life-skill training for coaches and players. - Soccer resource mobilization from balls, shoes, uniforms, etc. for soccer clubs in Mathare North.
- Organizing and sponsoring U10 and U12 tournaments during school holiday
Our bigger vision is to have a resource centre in the neighborhood where the children and youth will have space to learn, access to a library and the digital training hub where they will learn how to code, design etc. By the way it doesn’t have to wait until 2030, our only hindrance is the funds to support the idea fully from set-up towards sustainability levels. Lastly, we thank everyone who has supported us and we encourage you not to give up and soon we will reach our 2030 vision.
Call for Support
Here is a list you can choose from;
- Sponsor tournament.
- Donate uniforms.
- Donate soccer balls and soccer cons.
- Training bibs. Training hours.
- Facilitate outdoor trip for the team (exposure visits and friendly matches).
- Resource Mobilization (Time and expertise)
- Soccer shoes.
- Tracksuit.
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