Help us level the playing field

[LaBrujita]

Hello All,

I cannot remember the last time I posted on SG, but there's a certain sense of comfort in doing so, again.

Scrolling the list of latest-posters, I still see some names of old -- ShiftyPowers, Hakeem, Jambo Den, etc. I hope all is well.

Why I am writing/returning:

I am a member of Opportunitas Aequa (OA), a non-profit society founded by several young people, in Victoria, Canada. OA's mission is to use sport as a tool for social change.

Our first project, Project Ecuador, involves a) the collection and distribution of excess soccer equipment to Chimborazo, Ecuador and b) the raising of funds to support the local community's infrastructure, including the construction of a soccer field for the children.

If you are interested in helping out with our project, please let me know.

Similarly, you can support our cause and follow our progress here.

For more information about us, you can visit our website at equal-opportunity.ca

Any questions, comments, or concerns are welcome.

Cheers,

Evan
Opportunitas Aequa

 

[yoyo913]

Tell me more About OA and how did you get involed, and what is the organization's long run goal?

btw nice to see you again

 

[LaBrujita]

Tell me more About OA and how did you get involed, and what is the organization's long run goal?

btw nice to see you again

You, too, Horatiu

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Details:

Some of my closest friends founded the organization, based on an idea that we had been thinking about for awhile. When I returned from my backpacking trip, this summer, I joined on as a "full" member.
What started as 5 founders has grown to 9 full-members and 20+ other volunteers.

My primary roles are working with soccer clubs -- e.g., equipment drives with local clubs, gaining support from Ecuadorian clubs -- and editing all official documents. I am also doing some other communications and networking tasks.

OA’s mission is to bring positive experiences and smiles to children in impoverished areas of the world. We believe that the happiness instilled through playing soccer will provide a foundation for an improved sense of self-worth and long-term inspiration.

Beyond that, we want to take Opportunitas Aequa to another level: We talk about Project Ecuador as our "first project", because we hope that this project can act as a framework for future projects. Essentially, looking forward, we want OA to become a means for other young people to complete their own projects, using our experiences as a guide and using ourselves as resources.

The goal of Project Ecuador is to take at least 1000 soccer balls and 1000 pairs of soccer cleats to Chimborazo. Additionally, we want to help the local community’s infrastructure; for example, we are currently fundraising in order to build a functional soccer field for the children.

I do not need to explain many of the reasons why we chose soccer, for our tool of social change, to members of these forums. We believe that the universality of soccer makes our mission practical, and the simplicity of soccer makes our goals achievable.

We are working with local soccer clubs, local businesses, local and national media, etc.
We are also working with GiveMeaning.com, an online charitable foundation based in Vancouver, in order to raise money to offset some of our project costs.

Chimborazo is one of the most impoverished areas of Ecuador and of South America. Although poverty-stricken, the area is relatively politically and socially stable, ensuring that PE’s destiny is in our hands – a welcomed responsibility.

We are working in partnership with Chimborazo’s Centre for Indigenous Communication.

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How you can help:

You can make tax-deductible donations through our page at GiveMeaning -- www.vicsoccer.givemeaning.com .
We are currently running a competition to see who can "spread the word" and create the donations. The winner receives a 30GB iPod video. If you want more details on this, let me know.