We’re asking for you to take part in our effort to give these two incredible young men the chance to see a well-established camp first-hand, to reconnect with old SWB friends, and to understand better the culture that we so often share with them.
While in the US, they will have the opportunity to work with both a high school girls camp and a youth day camp at Dartmouth as well as to visit our SWB site in New York City. These unique experiences will help them grow as coaches and leaders; they will return to Granada with an improved ability to lead our programs.
If you’ve followed the evolution of SWB in Nicaragua over the last two and a half years, or perhaps even volunteered, you are familiar with the names Chepe and Cesar. For those of you who don’t know Chepe and Cesar, here is some background information on who they are and why they are so important to the Soccer Without Borders family:
Chepe (whose real name is Humberto Jose) has played an integral role in the progress of SWB from the very beginning. He took Ben into his home on his very first trip to Granada in 2006, he traveled around to gym classes with Mary, Molly, and Elise to recruit the very first girls to the program in 2008, he kept the program going in the absence of volunteers in 2008, he helped Myra, Becky, and Ali ready the office for its opening in 2009, and has lent a hand to nearly every volunteer along the way while remaining a key coach and leader within the organization. And as if all of that isn’t enough, Chepe literally BUILT the equipment bodega with his bare hands!
Cesar (whose real name is Cesar) has taken the express lane to leadership within the program. Our most senior male coach at age 24, Cesar was an avid supporter of SWB from the start, but was forced to travel to Costa Rica to work to support his family in 2008 and 2009. When Cesar returned, he began working as an Office Assistant for SWB while simultaneously enrolling in a leadership course in Managua to finish his degree. After Cesar completed the course, we recognized that he had developed the facilitation skills and overall professionalism to take on an expanded role. In addition, he had developed into a well-respected coach and educator; the girls in the program felt incredibly comfortable under his leadership. Cesar was promoted to Director of Coaching in 2010 and has been doing an amazing job in his new role.
Both Cesar and Chepe have worked first-hand with over 80, mostly American, SWB volunteers. When the opportunity arose for SWB to bring two coaches over to the US as volunteers at the Dartmouth Summer Soccer Academy, Chepe and Cesar immediately came to our mind. After an arduous visa application process, both guys have received permission from the US Embassy to make the trip.
This is where you come in! We are trying to rally $2,200 to cover the cost of their 16 days in the US. This includes: flights, visa, transportation to and from the airport and within the US, food, and a little bit of spending money for them to feel a part of the US culture.
If you are a past volunteer, or someone who knows a past volunteer, please share your favorite story (photos welcome!) about Chepe and/or Cesar and we will post it on this blog (send to: mary@soccerwithoutborders.org) Consider, also, making a donation in their names by clicking on the "Chip In" button on this page. They both have given so generously of their time and attention to make so many volunteers feel welcome and comfortable in their culture, and often their homes. Here is our chance to do the same!
We would appreciate any amount you could give, and would love to hear your stories. Spread the word and help bring Chepe and Cesar to the US this summer!
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