One World Futbol Project to Distribute 15,000 Chevrolet-Sponsored Nearly Indestructible One World Futbols to Schools and Youth Programs across Haiti
WHO: Launched in July 2010, One World Futbol Project brings the healing power of play to youth worldwide by making, selling and distributing nearly indestructible balls that are proven to survive the harshest environments. We collaborate with sponsors, organizations, governments and consumers to deliver One World Futbols to disadvantaged communities where play and sport can be used to foster social change. To date, the One World Futbol has reached nearly 160 countries through hundreds of organizations. One World Futbol Project is headquartered in Berkeley, California.
WHAT: Later this year, One World Futbol Project will distribute 15,000 Chevrolet-sponsored One World Futbols through schools and organizations working with youth across the country. This is the first of several planned One World Futbol distributions in Haiti. Currently, One World Futbol Project is working with government officials and ministries as well as organizations including: The Jack Brewer Foundation (JBF Worldwide), Afe Neg Combite, Baptist Mission, GOALS Haiti, L’Athlétique D’Haiti, Latortue Foundation, L’École Du Choix, Mission of Hope, Réunion Sportive D’Haiti and Salesian Missions.
On Thursday, May 9, One World Futbol Project is supporting a Youth Soccer Match in Port-au-Prince sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and JBF Worldwide and hosted at YMCA D’Haiti. The match between local Haitian youth and JBF Worldwide Global Ambassadors will be played with Chevrolet-sponsored One World Futbols. In addition, One World Futbol Project is working with JBF Worldwide to distribute the nearly indestructible balls to schools and other programs in Haiti—including 1000 One World Futbols to the Ministry of Sport.
WHY: Of all the places in the Northern Hemisphere where sport can brighten children’s lives, Haiti is one of the most in need. As the second poorest country in the Americas, 78 percent of Haitians live in poverty, and 80 out of 1,000 children never see their first birthday.
“For youth in Haiti, especially in the rural areas, playing soccer offers an important opportunity for healthy development. Sport and play are a critical starting point for bringing communities together to help overcome daily struggles,” said Lisa Tarver, co-founder and COO of One World Futbol Project. “For the majority of locations where children will play with the One World Futbols, the terrain is extremely rugged. A standard ball wears out within days, some within hours; but the One World Futbol allows organizations to come in to remote areas and villages and provide footballs that aren’t going to get destroyed, so that long after we’re gone, children can keep playing, growing and thriving.”
In May of 2012, Chevrolet became the founding sponsor of One World Futbol Project, pledging to donate 1.5 million One World Futbols over three years to youth around the world. The Chevrolet partnership with One World Futbol Project is the first to provide youth in Haiti with nearly indestructible balls. For more information about One World Futbol Project, please visit: www.oneworldfutbol.com; Twitter: @oneworldfutbol; Facebook: OneWorldFutbol.
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Hwang