4-10-10

Yesterday was the first real day of soccer. We all traveled over to the Football for Hope Center in the middle of Khayelitsha. Each team played in a preliminary tournament in preparation for the big culminating event today. We also participated in more the skillz curriculum, dribbling around the obstacles in life that can lead to HIV/AIDS, avoiding sugar mommies and sugar daddies, multiple partners, and drugs and alcohol. We popped balloons to learn about teamwork, and watched a video about the necessity of getting tested. The music blasting from the Football for Hope Center and the soccer games on the field, drew a huge crowed of local men and boys, all hanging on the outside of the field, watching us play. It was amazing to see how much soccer means to this community. Despite all the hardships that they face in Khayletisha, whenever these men were watching soccer a smile lit up there face. I am very excited to see how today's soccer/health fare will affect the community, to see how many will come, and how many will get tested.