KidsAfrik, a 501(3)(c) non-profit, has grown since it began in 2006. The vision is the same but the goals have developed differently. The project seems to be growing rapidly even without proper resources, so we have re-organized to work on more tangible, immediate milestones that will all serve the ultimate goal which is to have the program up and running to its full potential via 5 year-long stages starting in January 2010.

The final objective in Africa, starting in Senegal will be to provide a self-sustaining Development Center that has all the characteristics of a thriving community, a safe haven for these children to best learn and grow using formal, traditional education, The Arts, Sports, and Technology as life-long tools for success.

Stage 1 (this year) is critical for fund raising, marketing and promotion including the complete revision of KidsAfrik.com and regular progress updates. In the next two years we will create a KidsAfrik program in Senegal and a full working youth program here in the Valley.

Tasks at hand for 2010:

1. First Annual KidsAfrik Festival on March 6th, 2010, from 8pm. With live Music from local bands and the CD release of a new local artist, dance performance, an exciting youth soccer performance, soccer contest, Live Art light show and much more including raffle prizes to be won. information about KidsAfrik will be available.
2. Start a new western Mass KidsAfrik Youth Soccer Club (U15 through U19), working with the Amherst Youth Soccer Association, beginning this Spring with U16 and U18 Boys’ and U18 Girls teams.
3. The first stage is to establish a KidsAfrik soccer club in the village of Somone, Senegal in March 2010 where we will be hosting a weekend-long First Annual Youth Soccer Tournament. We will be taking gifts of soccer uniforms and t-shirts generously donated by the Amherst Youth Soccer Association and local supporters. Meeting with local government authorities and faculty at the University Cheihk Anta Diop, Dakar, to plan for the KidsAfrik Sports, Arts and Technology programs scheduled to begin in 2011.
4. >Raise $60,000 to take our men’s team to Turkey and Greece in August. This will be available to all our future adult soccer players that have develop under the KidsAfrik program and looked forward to this great experience. The KidsAfrik Men’s competitive achievements are: 2009 Fall MPSL Champions; 2009 Spring PVJSL Champions; 2008 Fall MPSL Champions; 2006 Spring PVSSL Champions.
5. Also, here in the US, KidsAfrik is working with kids from all local community backgrounds including a special focus on those who don’t have the same financial advantages that many of us are fortunate to enjoy. Providing an after school program for the Springfield and the Holyoke community, to help kids reach an acceptable academic grade, educate themselves about obesity, and engage in sports activity.

In 2011 and beyond:

1. To take a group from the US and a group from Senegal to Europe. This will give these young men a chance to experience soccer overseas and the possibility to be recruited by high level soccer clubs. Eventually, trips to Africa and Europe could be planned for our younger, local KidsAfrik players giving them a personal experience life and culture overseas and connections with other soccer communities.
2. Planning trips to Africa for our younger, local KidsAfrik players giving them an personal experience of African life and culture and connections with our African KidsAfrik soccer players.

All these activities will serve our ultimate goal: to build KidsAfrik Sport, Art and Technology educational programs in Africa.

Your assistance and support is essential to make this vision a reality.

Please mail your donation to our 501(c) KidsAfrik, PO Box 2832, Amherst MA 01002.