Barefoot Soccer Tournament
Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Date: April 24
Where: LaFollette Field
Frank Gengo, a senior public relations major, is the account director for the barefoot soccer tournament. The proceeds from the tournament will go to Saving Orphans through Healthcare and Outreach (SOHO).
SOHO is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Swaziland, Africa, according to its website. The money raised by the tournament will fund its particular program Save Orphans, Kick AIDS and Abuse (SOKAA).
Gengo began working with SOHO two and a half years ago. Gengo is a member of Cardinal Communications, Ball State’s student-run communications agency.
“I was placed on a team whose client was SOHO,” Gengo said. “I’ve simply chosen to work with them since then.”
SOHO is based out of Indianapolis. It was founded by Cynthia Prime and Linda Schultz in 2006.
One of the major fundraisers SOHO puts on each year is its gala, a two-day event hosted in Indianapolis. This year, the gala will be Oct. 3 and 4, said Jordyn Price, SOHO’s executive assistant.
On the first day of the event, there will be a forum to discuss gender-based abuse and women empowerment. At the gala and awards ceremony, they will be honoring Josina Machel, Nelson Mandela’s stepdaughter, and Priscilla "CeCe" Marie Winans Love, a gospel singer and advocate for the eradication of HIV/AIDS.
Funds from SOHO’s events go toward three different programs. One provides abuse prevention and personal development programs to young girls through music, while another empowers American youth to be advocates for healthy lifestyles. SOKKA, the particular recipient of the tournament’s fundraising, advocates ending gender-based abuse through soccer.
According to SOHO’s website, SOKKA is designed to teach at-risk youth leadership skills. The other goal is to help them develop physical and inner strength through the sport of soccer.
Gengo feels the organization is very successful for a small organization.
“[SOHO] does work you’d never expect from an organization of its size,” Gengo said. “They’ve helped more than 25,000 kids in Africa through their programs.”
SOHO also has two welcome centers in Swaziland, which serve as preschools and food and clothing distribution centers. Each center has a community garden, and there is a third preschool outside of the welcome centers as well, Price said.
The tournament isn’t the organization’s first collaboration with Ball State. Cardinal Communications has been working with SOHO for at least four years.
“We look forward to spreading SOHO’s message with Ball State and with Muncie,” Price said.
At the tournament, teams will have the opportunity to make their own trash balls. The children in Swaziland make their soccer balls from trash-like plastic grocery bags.
“We’ll probably bring a cluster of bags to the tournament,” Gengo said. “The teams are welcome to bring their own trash to use, but only bags would be welcome.”
The barefoot soccer tournament is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 24 at LaFollette Field. Teams are welcome to sign up the day of the event. The cost is $50 for a team of five.
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