Organization: PLAY SOCCER Nonprofit International

Focus Areas:	Children, Technology, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Poverty, Conflict Resolution, Gender & Equality, Microfinance
Countries Served:	All 7 countries: Cameroon Ghana Malawi Senegal United States South Africa Zambia   Summary by region: Africa Northern America

Description of Services:
year round educational, recreational weekly sessions for children, ages 5-15 with a well defined curriculum that teaches health and social life skills as well as soccer/football. To encourage self support and sustainability within the communities where it operates, social enterprise activities are promoted to reduce poverty and produce products that benefit participants and the public good. Training and education of national/local volunteers builds local capacities and human resources and improves program quality as well as marketable employment skills. Play Soccer provides international leadership for the annual Global Peace Games for Children and Youth .
History:
Play Soccer opened its first program in Ghana, and has since expanded to Cameroon, Malawi, Senegal, South Africa and Zambia. serving more than 14,000 children year round. National country organizations affiliate as the Play Soccer Network and must meet standards of program and financial accountability and quality. Since 2001 Play Soccer has also provide international leadership for the Global Peace Games for Children and Youth which give a voice to grassroot efforts and bring solidarity in action around the world for peace , understanding and support for the UN Millennium Development goals.
Accomplishments & Progress:
NGO of the Year award from Peace and Sport, 2009 2009 three year grant from US Dept of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Exchange in partnership with Ohio University grant Serving over 14,000 disadvantaged children weekly, year round in six countries-, free, educational and recreational program, and healthy snack in 1-2 weekly sessions More than 40,000 children since 2001 Training ,leadership, capacity building for youth volunteers Sustainable community organizations at low cost, helping to catalyze broad socio-economic development United Nations Consultative Status as an NGO International leadership for the annual Global Peace Games for Children and Youth