The 2nd Annual Talibe Soccer Tournament

Recently, Cleats For Bare Feet sent three boxes in two shipments to Senegal with a former member of the C4BF Team.  This was the response I received back from the tournament we shared your equipment with:

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This year Peace Corps Volunteers worked with a local counterpart, Aris Faye, to hold the 2nd Annual Talibe Soccer Tournament. This tournament was funded by the US Embassy’s Public Affairs Grant. Talibes are children pursuing a Quranic education. The heartbreaking story of talibes in Senegal isn't just the struggle for the children because they are sent thousands of kilometers away from their home village, or their struggle to reach their daily quota of CFA (local money) before they go home to protect them from a beating, nor is it the fact that these children may not return to their village or see their family members for years. The devastating truth about these talibes, some as young as 5 years old, is that they are forgotten, ignored. People see these children begging on the street and push them aside rather than give them the alms they’re begging for. These children are seen at a nuisance, yet the religion, and their teachers are seen as the “untouchables.” No fault is ever placed on those in charge, just the children. Giving the children an event, concentrating on them, and reminding people these talibes, who are forced to dress in rags, and wander the streets barefoot in search for their meals, eat what is given to them; they are children and they should be allowed to act as children.

This event allowed the talibes to play with regular school children. Peace Corps role was very small in this 2 day event. Thursday the Peace Corps volunteers gave the children something to remember. The volunteers interacted with the children, showing them a part of our American culture. We shared face paint with the children, we taught the children how to write their names (some of the children’s first time holding a pencil), taught them basics about hygiene and nutrition, and the show stopper; an obstacle course. Peace Corps volunteers wanted to make this even more memorable for the children, we collected donations to be given to the talibes as prizes for their participation on the day of the finale, giving the children a real jersey, soccer ball, and cleats. These prizes brought smiles to everyone’s faces! It was a great moment to share with these talibes, explaining people all the way from United States sent these prizes just for the talibes to have. The older talibes took me aside to express their gratitude of the event, and the prizes. Stating the event (however chaotic it got) was “Mash’Allah.”
These are 3 photos my older talibe took of the awarding of prizes. 

                                                                                                 Thanks again,  

Hadiel Mohamed 

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This is what Cleats For Bare Feet is all about. Bringing smiles to children's faces across the world by sharing your old soccer equipment.
We are always looking for more equipment to share, or for people traveling abroad who would like to act as our ambassador and spread the love of the game ever further around the world.