My name is on a netball in Tanzania, East Africa.

Photos are courtesy of Steve Farrell.

Growing up, I remembered that boys in Dominica would kick footballs in the fields. I was never interested in the sport itself because I played basketball (I wasn’t the nimble athlete with speed and precision meant for football) but I remembered liking how happy they seemed. Girls mostly played netball (I was horrible at that also but I remembered having so much fun even if my team lost most times!)

So, when Steve Farrell posted about the Great Football Giveaway in Septemeber, how could I say no when my memory flashed back to that poor village in my country (Dominica) that I grew up in? The memories of young children sweating in 90 degree tropical weather came into my mind, their bare feet caked in dust, rushing to and from each other to score a goal. How could I say no, when I had memories of missionaries who visited the island and also helped change my life? They brought books (which I absolutely enjoyed), shared about their own countries (and this might be a reason why I’m currently in the US). Some of the kids who played had relatives in the States would send us these many supplies sometimes and because of sharing, we all enjoyed the use of them. We were a small village where most of us didn’t have running water or electricity (We got one pipe and electricity the year before I left the island – when I was 10 years old).

Sports (cricket included) made it easier for us to interact with each other through friendship and sport. We weren’t idle. We remained healthy. So needless to say, I really appreciated people like Steve Farrell who went out of his way to touch the lives of all these young men and women. I got the chance to work with Steve at Publicis Modem during my first year. I remembered that he always said the kindest things, including when my brother passed. Steve also believed in my work and gave me incredible advice through my career so far (and he might also have been one of the people who got me even recognized to be promoted).

Steve asked us to share this link with people to continue the widespread of joy through our social connections. How could anyone say no? You can get involved by donating to the Great Football Giveaway here http://www.thegreatfootballgiveaway.org.uk/donate.htm or to the Malaika Children’s Village here http://www.malaika-kids.net/.

Three of us from Publicis Modem days (I’m not there anymore) donated and we got our names on this football and netballs:

It went to a secondary school south of Kilwa near the town of Kitomanga. Thanks Steve for making us a part of this. He explained while handing out these balls:

“You see the kids go through what we began to regard as the clear stages of the Great Football Giveaway: shock (what are these people doing here?), disbelief (why are they handing me this perfect, brand new football?), realization (my god, they’re just GIVING it to me to keep!) and celebration (pure, unbridled, shrieking pandemonium and joy). And your simple donation made that possible.” So, please donate it’s only £10 which buys one football:  http://www.thegreatfootballgiveaway.org.uk/donate.htm

This entire ordeal makes me wonder why it took me 24 years to kick a football properly.

3 thoughts on “The Great Football Giveaway

  1. Paul Clarke

    Great response Jerlyn and thanks for spreading the word! Steve & his team did an incredible job out in southern Tanzania.

    Will add link to our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/TheGreatFootballGiveaway

  2. John Jacob Lyons

    I’ve often expressed my love for this endeavour and all those that make it possible. The story above that I assume is by Jerlyn makes the point very well indeed. Jerlyn’s description of the stages of the GFG is excellent and one that I found quite moving.
    However, I was surprised to see the ads revealed when the green words are selected. These may bring in money for the cause but would it not be possible to select more suitable enterprises?

  3. Jerlyn

    Hi John, I’m sorry but the ads on my page I don’t control at all. When accessed from the main page the green doesnt show. The post also goes to my facebook where the green links do not show. Also, I did link the the GFG which some of my peers did check out. That was the purpose of the post. The other enterprises do pay for me to keep the site up where I can talk about wonderful things like the GFG. :).

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