In the neatly packed bags below you will find:
211 Jerseys
75 Pairs of Socks
64 Pairs of Shorts
15 Pairs of Cleats
13 Soccer Balls
What an Amazing display of generosity! Thanks to everybody who has contributed to this stockpile!
We're off this Saturday, bright and early at 7:30 am. Meaning, it is likely we'll be at the airport by 4:30. Something tells me a nap on the plane will come easily.
Matt
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
4 Days, UPS and a Firewire Cable
4 days to go and we're still working hard. Today, our friendly UPS delivery man dropped off 3 more boxes of uniforms. I haven't counted the exact number, but I'm confident in saying we're gonna have about 150 decked out players sportin' some fly digs while planying for the trophy!
Also, I went in search of a firewire cable today and came as close as the wrong size connector! The silver lining of this story is that I now know of 4 stores that ALMOST have what we need. So, I'll go in search of one again tomorrow.
With tomorrow in mind, I'd like to inform you all that Margaret and I will be picking up ANOTHER package of goods. A very generous donation of equipment has been arranged by our friend Andy's father. He is the coach of a local soccer team. His players and their families have made this contribution to the players of Uganda. If you are one of these players, one of their family members, or supported this effort in any other way, thank you. I wish you all could be there when these items will be delivered. For people that have so little, a gesture like this enables them to enjoy the game you love so much more. If any of you would like to contact any of the players, coaches, or families you're helping let us know and we'll do our best to either connect you or to communicate your message and send their response.
Thanks everybody!
Matt
Also, I went in search of a firewire cable today and came as close as the wrong size connector! The silver lining of this story is that I now know of 4 stores that ALMOST have what we need. So, I'll go in search of one again tomorrow.
With tomorrow in mind, I'd like to inform you all that Margaret and I will be picking up ANOTHER package of goods. A very generous donation of equipment has been arranged by our friend Andy's father. He is the coach of a local soccer team. His players and their families have made this contribution to the players of Uganda. If you are one of these players, one of their family members, or supported this effort in any other way, thank you. I wish you all could be there when these items will be delivered. For people that have so little, a gesture like this enables them to enjoy the game you love so much more. If any of you would like to contact any of the players, coaches, or families you're helping let us know and we'll do our best to either connect you or to communicate your message and send their response.
Thanks everybody!
Matt
Monday, April 20, 2009
5 Days Until Our Plane Says Adios!
Perhaps it was the weather, maybe it was the fact that I finally have an mp3 player at work, but the anticipatory stress I've been feeling lately took a day off. Whew! Today's progress consisted of cleaning my room in order to find the items I may take with me. This is the earliest I've ever started packing for a trip and I see why people like to do it - pack early that is. I think it's because IT MAKES SENSE! It's a big relief to have what you'll need tucked away nicely in a corner days before you leave. It gives you time to consider the necessity of what you have as well as of the things you haven't set aside.
So far, it looks like we'll be taking 3 cameras with us, two camcorders, an external hard drive, 2 mp3 players, batteries, books, clothes, balls, equipment, and a whole lot of ambition, hope, and... well, there's gonna be something we haven't thought of yet.
5 Days. 4 Tomorrow. 3 the next day. Then 2. The night before. The morning of and Adios.
This is gonna be a good one. Thanks for following along!
Matt
So far, it looks like we'll be taking 3 cameras with us, two camcorders, an external hard drive, 2 mp3 players, batteries, books, clothes, balls, equipment, and a whole lot of ambition, hope, and... well, there's gonna be something we haven't thought of yet.
5 Days. 4 Tomorrow. 3 the next day. Then 2. The night before. The morning of and Adios.
This is gonna be a good one. Thanks for following along!
Matt
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Donated Jerseys and Balls
What you see here are just some of the donated items we'll be taking with us. We're still waiting for another shipment of jerseys to come in (we've already got 91!) and another 41lb package of soccer supplies. These contributions will mean the world to those that receive them. Sorry the pics are sideways, I'm still learning! I'll do my best to get them straight next time.
Thanks to Your Support
It's really a great to feel supported in what you are doing. Today, as I sort through the various donations we've been given I'm feeling happier than I normally do. With one week to go, that's right, only 7 DAYS LEFT UNTIL DEPARTURE!, the reality of this trips potential has hit me in full for the first time. I can't tell you for sure the exact nature of it, but I think is has a bit to do with all of the following:
1. I'm fulfilling a promise I made to myself to make sure the people of Namuwongo, and those in impoverished living conditions in general, were not forgotten. That is, that my work last summer was not destined to be that of a one hit wonder, but derived from something deeper and lasting. And, if I may get a bit personal (which I can, I'm an author - hehe!), this connection between something felt and something tangible is of great value to me as I search for real ways to influence the world. Real, in the physical or temporal sense - not just the metaphysical (sorry, philosophy major!) .
2. The project is larger than it was last year. Having the opportunity to create permanent, quality fields is something I hadn't thought about. I think I hadn't thought about this because it never seemed feasible enough to break through my subconscious. Just goes to show that great ideas are fostered more often in cooperation more than in solitude.
3. Because there are more people involved, due to a greater number of "moving parts" we'll get to share the project with more participants and people abroad. With the blog, our documentary, and a few other tricks up our sleeves we're hoping to communicate the value of sport development work in addition to raising the level of general awareness of extreme poverty. It's difficult to fully grasp the plight of another when we live so "far" away. Far can be interpreted as both metaphorical and literal. Proximity seems to be less and less of an argument against international aid as global economics evolve and technology begin to connect the most disenfranchised with those born into opportunity. Change begins with awareness.
4. I'm excited for this project because I really didn't think I was going to be able to go. When I returned home from China in January (the 9th to be exact), I had $500, no job, and was receiving food stamps. The idea to go back to Uganda has sprung to mind about a month prior to this and the logistics seemed insurmountable. But, as Luck would have it and Fortune bless, the pieces fell into place: a job, a gift, community support, and an organization willing to challenge possibility and swing for the fences. Now, we haven't hit a home run yet. As a matter of fact, and for the sake of analogical (not sure if that is a word, but it sounds cool) consistency, we haven't even taken our first swing. We're just stepping into the batters box.
We couldn't be happier that you've chosen to follow along. Please, spread the word and send us your comments. Hearing from you really does brighten our day and give us confidence. Thank you!
Matt
1. I'm fulfilling a promise I made to myself to make sure the people of Namuwongo, and those in impoverished living conditions in general, were not forgotten. That is, that my work last summer was not destined to be that of a one hit wonder, but derived from something deeper and lasting. And, if I may get a bit personal (which I can, I'm an author - hehe!), this connection between something felt and something tangible is of great value to me as I search for real ways to influence the world. Real, in the physical or temporal sense - not just the metaphysical (sorry, philosophy major!) .
2. The project is larger than it was last year. Having the opportunity to create permanent, quality fields is something I hadn't thought about. I think I hadn't thought about this because it never seemed feasible enough to break through my subconscious. Just goes to show that great ideas are fostered more often in cooperation more than in solitude.
3. Because there are more people involved, due to a greater number of "moving parts" we'll get to share the project with more participants and people abroad. With the blog, our documentary, and a few other tricks up our sleeves we're hoping to communicate the value of sport development work in addition to raising the level of general awareness of extreme poverty. It's difficult to fully grasp the plight of another when we live so "far" away. Far can be interpreted as both metaphorical and literal. Proximity seems to be less and less of an argument against international aid as global economics evolve and technology begin to connect the most disenfranchised with those born into opportunity. Change begins with awareness.
4. I'm excited for this project because I really didn't think I was going to be able to go. When I returned home from China in January (the 9th to be exact), I had $500, no job, and was receiving food stamps. The idea to go back to Uganda has sprung to mind about a month prior to this and the logistics seemed insurmountable. But, as Luck would have it and Fortune bless, the pieces fell into place: a job, a gift, community support, and an organization willing to challenge possibility and swing for the fences. Now, we haven't hit a home run yet. As a matter of fact, and for the sake of analogical (not sure if that is a word, but it sounds cool) consistency, we haven't even taken our first swing. We're just stepping into the batters box.
We couldn't be happier that you've chosen to follow along. Please, spread the word and send us your comments. Hearing from you really does brighten our day and give us confidence. Thank you!
Matt
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Counting Jerseys and Staying in Touch
With two weeks to go before departure we're deep in the process of selecting what we'll be taking with us. I think it's likely the debate over what personal items should be included will end only when we've left for the airport. There are, however, certain essentials than cannot be left behind.
One of these essential items are the jerseys donated to this project by our friends over at African Sport Outreach (ASO - check out our informational links to the right and look 'em up). As I packed them into my duffel bag this morning I took stock of exactly how many we have, what size, and in what color. We've got 91 Nike jerseys - nice ones - in black, blue, and red ranging in sizes from women's small to men's XL.
If you have the time, watch the slideshow up top and pay attention to the clothes the players are wearing. These jerseys will be an incredible part of our project and we couldn't be any more pleased to be able to give them out.
I'd like to extend my personal thanks to all of those who have chosen to support us. We've shared kind words, interesting conversations, and insights to improve the program. This time, the time we are able to share, is one of the most valuable parts of the entire development industry. Without these conversations the stories of the people who can not share them are given a desperately needed voice.
It is our hope to share this voice as effectively as possible and in order to do so we want to hear from you. Send us your questions and we'll ask them while they're there. We'll video tape them and post them for you to see.
Matt
One of these essential items are the jerseys donated to this project by our friends over at African Sport Outreach (ASO - check out our informational links to the right and look 'em up). As I packed them into my duffel bag this morning I took stock of exactly how many we have, what size, and in what color. We've got 91 Nike jerseys - nice ones - in black, blue, and red ranging in sizes from women's small to men's XL.
If you have the time, watch the slideshow up top and pay attention to the clothes the players are wearing. These jerseys will be an incredible part of our project and we couldn't be any more pleased to be able to give them out.
I'd like to extend my personal thanks to all of those who have chosen to support us. We've shared kind words, interesting conversations, and insights to improve the program. This time, the time we are able to share, is one of the most valuable parts of the entire development industry. Without these conversations the stories of the people who can not share them are given a desperately needed voice.
It is our hope to share this voice as effectively as possible and in order to do so we want to hear from you. Send us your questions and we'll ask them while they're there. We'll video tape them and post them for you to see.
Matt
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