The SWB-Ndejje Team has recently decided to go separate ways with our local staff member, Deo. Although he was a decent coach, all he was interested in was coaching a older boys team, a select team. He didn't practice, or even buy into, many of the Soccer Without Borders beliefs--equality for women, giving all ages equal practice time, making sure the kids have fun--and it showed in his actions both at training and at home.
Now we can start anew. We had our first training since his departure on Saturday, and it felt great. We were able to run the practice how we wanted to without having Deo sitting around doing nothing, bringing down the energy of the training, and frustrating Heather, Courtney and me. We also now have the opportunity to find a different local coach who understands that SWB isn't just about soccer--It's actually more about the education. We can find someone who will want to learn how to be a SWB coach, who will actually enjoy the kids. No more throwing out a soccer ball and sitting in the shade for an hour.
Although finding a new coach in Ndejje will be a daunting task, it is so much better than the alternative: Doing nothing, continuing to allow Deo to hinder SWB's teachings, and passing this problem off to the next set of interns. It may be hard to find someone who is motivated to become the type of coach SWB wants, there is no other way to show the kids here that they don't have to succumb to the norm. That they can change their life's course by changing their mind set and starting to think for themselves.
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