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I recently returned from Africa, where I spent two weeks traveling with fellow faculty member Dan Skoglund and current students Henry Fee ’12, Zeiko Lewis ’13, Danny Lockhart ’12, Alex Perkins ’11, and Noah Sinkoff ’13. Our two weeks in Africa were split evenly between Zambia and South Africa. On the first leg of our journey, we participated in a week-long cultural exchange program with the Lutanda Soccer Academy in Lusaka, Zambia; on the second leg of the journey we spent a week in Johannesburg, South Africa attending the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The idea for the trip originated nearly a year ago when I met the founders and directors of the newly formed Lutanda Soccer Academy. In a country where many children can’t afford the basic cost of education or don’t see the value of an education, Lutanda intends to alter this trend by providing scholarship opportunities for those in need and by highlighting the importance of staying in school. Like at many New England preparatory schools, Lutanda aims to provide not only excellent educational opportunities for its youth but also a quality athletic experience centered on the nation’s favorite pastime—the game of soccer. Impressed by Lutanda’s objective of improving the educational opportunities for the disadvantaged youth of Lusaka, members of the Berkshire School community and I decided to get involved.
Our involvement began with a one-week bike-a-thon during spring vacation in March. Eight members of the boys’ varsity soccer team, my wife, son, and I went to Virginia and completed a week-long bike tour in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which jumpstarted the fundraising efforts and provided some great memories for all members of the group. The second phase of the fundraising occurred in May when a group of Berkshire students organized an inter-school dance to raise money for the Lutanda Soccer Academy. Like the bike-a-thon, the dance was a great success as it not only helped raise significant funds but also brought close to 500 students together from ten different schools for a memorable night of dancing.
As a result of the fundraisers and generosity of several companies, we were able to organize a sizeable gift of over $30,000 in goods for the newly formed Lutanda Soccer Academy. It was particularly exciting for the seven members of our group to have the opportunity to personally deliver the goods to the Lutanda Soccer Academy during our recent trip.
In Zambia, we were able to witness firsthand many of the issues facing the disadvantaged children of Lusaka. The experience provided a sharp contrast to the life most of us at Berkshire are accustomed to living. While spending quality time throughout the week with the children and directors of the Lutanda Soccer Academy, we were able to partake in some memorable events such as participating in friendly soccer matches, eating a variety of local dishes, touring the impoverished compounds of the Lutanda children, and participating in the official launch celebration for the Lutanda Soccer Academy. The final night proved to be the hardest, as it was time to say goodbye. We certainly didn’t anticipate just how close we would become to our new friends in just one week.
Following a memorable week in Zambia, we travelled to Johannesburg, South Africa to enjoy the World Cup festivities. Traveling in and around the Johannesburg area amid the constant buzz of the Vuvuzelas, we were able to take in five matches in six days, including the exciting opening match for the USA against England. Though the time spent in South Africa watching World Cup matches was certainly an experience that will not be forgotten, the week in Zambia left us with something more lasting—newfound friendships, a vivid cultural experience, and exciting plans for future connections between our schools.
If you wish to learn more about this trip, our fundraising efforts, or the Lutanda Soccer Academy, please do not hesitate to contact me: jmoodey@berkshireschool.org
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