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Julie Casselman's Zimbabwe Blog
June 24, 2014 | Women's Soccer
June 24, 2014
Midfielder Julie Casselman recently graduated from the University of Louisville and is currently spending the month in Zimbabwe with an organization called Coaches Across Continents. Below is the first of her blogs about the experience.
One thing I learned through sports is that no matter what language is spoken, what challenges faced, the country lived in or the cultural differences, sports have the power to work as an international language, bring people together and work together. If all else fails, just play! Coaches Across Continents, a global leader in football for social impact, brought me to Zimbabwe to make me realize the power that soccer has.
In my first week here in Zimbabwe, I got to help teachers, youth and caregivers learn how they could use soccer to bring social inclusion for children with disabilities (physical or mental disabilities, deaf and mute people). It was really cool to see how the people (some of them being disabled themselves) could manipulate soccer games to fit the needs of their children. One thing that was made certain, was that everyone could participate, no matter their circumstances. Also, the way people came together and enjoyed playing sports, never getting frustrated because one couldn't play properly was really eye-opening. No matter the circumstances, attitude is everything for them and they made me realize how far a positive attitude can take you.
In the afternoon after our training, the kids at the school we worked at got out of class and came to the soccer field to play. When I asked them to play they let me. At first they called me "murungu" (white person in Shona) a lot. It didn't take long before all 30 little kids were screaming "Julie, Julie" every time I touched the ball. Needless to say they made me run a lot and got me really tired while they could run for days!
After the first game, I wasn't murungu anymore, but I was Julie (ahhh, the power of soccer). When came time to leave, they asked me if I could give them a ball, and unfortunately I couldn't since they were not mine. But I told them I had a mini ball (little stress ball with a Cardinal on it!) and they were more than happy to get that! I made them promise to not lose it, and when I went back the next days, they were there playing with the mini ball! These kids will grow up knowing what university is the best one!
Even if being so far away for so long is hard at times, it makes it all easier once you see the impact you can have by teaching how to use soccer for social impact. The first week in Zimbabwe was filled with challenges and great experiences, and I am sure the next four weeks will be just as fulfilling.
Until next time, Enda Cards!
