Mehiel Foundation & Okwawu City Soccer Academy Train Street Children To Become International Football Stars

We believe in ending poverty through sport by providing the basic tools for childhood development.

Mehiel Foundation is proud to partner with OKWAWU CITY SOCCER ACADEMY an incredible, sports-oriented Non-Government Organisation (NGO) based in the village of Obomeng, in the Eastern region of Ghana.

Mehiel Foundation is a small charitable organisation based in Oxfordshire, UK, founded in 2010 which has undertaken 29 projects in 11 countries around the world. Its primary aim is to tackle the underlying causes of poverty and social injustice, in order to deliver lasting change in the lives of poor and vulnerable people.

This partnership aims to support the development of amazing, young, local football talent, as well as encouraging community progress through such projects as sanitation, education and poverty relief in and around the beautiful community of Obomeng, Ghana.

Investment into sport in emerging countries is much less than in developed ones, as sport is usually not a top priority in the national budget or in the education system of most developing countries.

"We believe in ending poverty through sport by providing the basic tools for childhood development. By taking part in sports, children are less likely to be negatively influenced by extremist groups, are made to feel important and are kept out of trouble" said" Lawrence Patrick, Mehiel Foundation's founder.

The United Nations has stated that sport is a human right and essential for childhood development. By using sport to reduce poverty, individuals of every age can lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Okwawu City Soccer Academy is a Social Nonprofit seeking the wellbeing of talented but less privileged street children aged between 11 and 15. They are headquartered in Obomeng-Kwahu and their social impact is concentrated on 20 sub-communities in Eastern Ghana.

OCSA houses, feeds and educates the children as well as nourishing their dreams to become world international footballers.

"There are currently 45 boys across two football teams, in the under 13 and under 15 age groups. We have massive aspirations to support them as they grow, to reach their full sporting potential. We also have a dream that one of the children will become a future Ghana Black Star, like the world-class team coach Eric Ampadu" commented Nana Kwabena, OCSA's founder.

By providing a safe space, and developing a program of opportunities, children coming to the Okwawu City Soccer Academy are able to progress in school and to reach their full sporting potential.

Further, participation in other charitable activities allows them to develop an important sense that they are supporting others and teaches them the value of community spirit.

The current building, accommodating children and volunteers is far too small for its purpose. Luckily, the village Chief has very kindly granted the Academy a plot of land, on which quarters can be built to house everyone comfortably and large enough to fit a training pitch as well.

Building is expensive in Ghana which is why Mehiel Foundation and OKWAWU CITY SOCCER ACADEMY need your help to make this dream come true.

They are raising money to buy a Tro-Tro. Anyone who visited Ghana will have seen the big multi-seater passenger vans that locals call Tro-Tros. They are a really cheap way to allow people to move from place to place in Ghana.

The cost of one of these Tro-Tros is around £10,000 but they can generate a constant income stream of £400-£600 every month whilst also employing two drivers.

With the profits from a Tro-Tro, the charity can build nearly four new accommodation rooms per year, achieving their most basic aim of having rooms and access to toilet facilities in just two and a half to three years. Beyond that, they can have a full academy complex set up within five years.

Please help offer these young talents the opportunities they deserve.

Find out more or follow Mehiel Foundation on social media.