Day 2 of the Tournament

On New Years Day we continued the tournament. Saying it was a success would be a great understatement.

Off to Markala

In Markala i met a few more Malians and was bestowed with my Malian name - Seydou

Stade

Several of us, including Yacouba's sons, and some players from the winning teams from the New Years Tournament attended a professional football match. For many of them, it was the first match that they had been to.

The Crew

The is the Little Eagles winter 2011 group in order: African Sky Founder Scott Lacy, Myself, and Project Director Sekou Kante

Holy S%**, I'm in Africa!

The title says it all

Year 1 Review

Dear Little Eagles family,

December 31 marks the one year anniversary of the official launch of the Little Eagles Football League, and the third year that I’ve been developing the program. The idea of using soccer to promote education is something that I have been working on for upwards of 5 years, and 3 years ago, Scott Lacy gave me the opportunity to turn that concept into a reality. This time last year, I was getting ready to take the life changing trip to Mali, in what would be one of the most incredible, emotional experiences I will ever have in my life.

I am pleased report that we have gone above and beyond our first year goals. The Little Eagles program, thanks to all of your continued and generous support, hosted 5 soccer tournaments and 1 league in Bamako, and 1 tournament in Dissan village. With your donations, we were able to provide programs to over 300 youth, donate hundreds of notebooks and other educational supplies, and hire our Program Director, Sekou. The communities in both Bamako and Dissan came together in new ways to support these initiatives, and to cheer on their star athletes. I remember being brought to tears in Bamako during the final game of the New Year’s tournament in Bamako after seeing the large crowd of spectators erupt in celebration from one of the goals. We have started to break down barriers as well, with the first all girls soccer match in Dissan, and by bridging the divide between the boys that go to school and the ones who work. Again, I was overwhelmed by emotion watching the girls play an enthralling match and as the championship boys game ended in a thrilling penalty shoot-out.

We have so many more incredible programs in store for the Little Eagles youth in 2013. In the summer of 2012, we expanded our Bamako league to include 2 new teams, for a total of 6. These 6 teams battled through a long season, eventually ending in a final tournament. In 2013, we will be adding a second league in Bamako, with 6 new teams, doubling the number of youth involved in the city. We have major plans for Dissan as well. Not only will we be continuing to provide and expand our program for the girls there, but we will be introducing a massive boy’s league that will include teams from each of the surrounding 12 villages. This will go a long way to strengthen the communal relationships in this region, and will allow us to provide programing to many, many more youth.

I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of 2012, especially in light of the current political situation facing the country. We have been able to provide safe, fun programming for these youth during a very difficult time in the country’s history. It has been a very special and successful year for the Little Eagles program, and 2013 has much more in store. Once again, I would like to thank everyone who has donated and supported our program in the past, and would like to remind you that we appreciate contributions of any amount. I can’t express more that a little goes a long, long way for our youth.

Happy New Year!

Rob/Seydou

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