We received this letter from Grassroot Soccer a Laureus funded project and would like to share this with you.
To get a better understanding what GRS is all about watch the videos and if you want to get involved go to this site.
Dear Grassroot Soccer Friends, Family, and Supporters,
As the global soccer community returns home and the din of the vuvuzelas begins to fade, GRS can see the success of our efforts to leverage the World Cup in the fight against HIV in Africa. In the last month, GRS empowered over 4,500 young South African Skillz Holiday program graduates with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to live HIV free, and provided nearly 15,000 young people with the once in a lifetime opportunity to attend a World Cup match. With the eyes of the world on South Africa, GRS had the unique opportunity to share our work with a global audience, from footage of GRS’ Football For Hope Centre aired at every World Cup match, to coverage by ESPN, USA Today, and Vanity Fair, to an inspiring list of visitors including Queen Sofia of Spain, basketball star Kobe Bryant, and comedian Drew Carey.
Making the most of the 2010 World Cup has been one of GRS’ goals since South Africa was named the host country in May 2004 and we could not have done it without your support. GRS is thrilled by our contribution towards reversing the spread of HIV in Africa, which continues to infect 7,400 people every day throughout the world.
Last week, we heard some encouraging news. UNAIDS released a report showing that HIV prevalence is declining amongst young people in Africa. We are finally starting to win this fight. Yet this is only the beginning, as GRS works to translate the momentum gained during the 2010 World Cup into action, with the goal of educating 1 million youth by the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. We look forward to you joining us in this journey.
With sincere gratitude for your commitment and ongoing support,
Dr. Tommy Clark, Kirk Friedrich, Methembe Ndlovu & Ethan Zohn
GRS Co-Founders
Dear Laureus,
We are happy and proud to tell you that, with all your support, we have managed to raise the funds to participate in the Football for Hope Festival in South Africa from June 28 – July 11, 2010. On behalf of whole MTG and especially the boys and girls and the leaders who have been selected to represent MTG in Johannesburg we would like to thank you very much.
Simba Ropa Parade
Edwin Moses with the Laureus Kids at the US Footbal Team's Camp
Sunday the Laureus kids from the Soweto Schools Rugby Project visited the US Team’s training camp with Edwin Moses. The kids were thrilled to see the team and to be able to tak e pictures you can see here.
On Saturday physically handicapped kids and youth teamed up with leading football players like Alain Sutter and Timo Konietzka for a charity game at the indoor football tournament in Bellikon. The six teams were led by no lesser personalities than Köbi Kuhn, Ottmar Hitzfeld and former FIFA referee Urs Meier.
Team Laureus in Bellikon with Ottmar Hitzfeld
1. Liverpool vs Manchester United
Liverpool get their title campaign back on track with a win against their most bitter of rivals in a dramatic 2-0 victory at Anfield. Goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog seal the win for the Reds.
2. The NFL in London
The NFL returned to Wembley Stadium for the third time in three years as the New England Patriots destroyed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 35-7 in front of nearly 90,000 fans.
3. Jensen Button – World Formula One Champion
Jensen Button sealed his first Formula One World Championship in Brazil after leading the Drivers Championship since the beginning of the year. The Brawn driver made it two wins in two years for British drivers after Lewis Hamilton’s win in 2008.
4. Valentino Rossi – World MotoGP Champion
Valentino Rossi won his seventh MotoGP World Championship in Malaysia with one race to spare. The Italian, who many consider the best to ever race motorbikes, finished the race in third place for the Yamaha team.
5. Barcelona lose to Rubin Kazan in Champions League
This week saw one of the biggest shocks ever to take place in the UEFA Champions League as European Champions Barcelona went down 2-1 at home to Rubin Kazan. The Russian Champions are taking place in their first ever Champions League and were virtual unknowns outside of Russia before this season.
