In the summer of 2007, Ohio State University dental students worked with Global Youth Partnership for Africa (GYPA) to establish a dental immersion trip to Kampala, Uganda. The students traveled to Kampala and conducted a research project to identify the local dental needs. Upon returning, 7 dental students and an OSU faculty member participated in the first dental service mission in December 2008. Their efforts were a great success, treating over 500 Ugandans in local communities with dental care. This December 2010, 8 OSU dental students, 1 anatomy PhD student, and a returning participant from the 2008 mission will go as the attending dentist. They are eager to continue their efforts with GYPA and help provide dental treatment/prophylaxis and education to the urban and rural areas surrounding Kampala. The program not only aims to provide a unique opportunity for OSU dental students, but also fosters a strong relationship between the university and Uganda. The students have been recognized for their efforts, and have been awarded two R25 International Practicum Grants of $2500 each. They look forward to embarking on this mission and special experience.

This September, Team Uganda, as part of the GYPA Girls Kick It! program will
send 8 girls from our program in Northern Uganda to the Female Homeless World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Stay tuned for more updates here, and also at the Girls Kick It! website: www.girlskickit.org

Under the leadership of Anna Phillips, Founder and Coordinator of Girls Kick It!, a sports empowerment program for women in Northern Uganda, we are excited to announce that 12 players from Girls Kick It! will travel to Washington, D.C. on October 13th for more than 1 week.

Girls Kick It! (www.girlskickit.org)- Facebook: Girls Kick It! provides healthy and economically sustainable opportunities for young girls and women living in internally displaced persons camps in Uganda.

GKI provides these young women with athletic games, team-building and leadership building activities and weekly soccer practice. Our players have demonstrated new-found confidence, teamwork and the belief that they have control of their futures.

On October 13th, the 12 players will travel from Uganda to Washington DC for a ten day cultural exchange with the Department of State. Many of the girls have never left the northern region of the country and are incredibly excited to come to the USA. They will be meeting with and undergoing training clinics from local high schools and universities.

We are looking forward to hosing the players in Washinngton, D.C. and hope that you will also have the opportunity to meet with them.

To learn more about this program, continue to stay tuned to our blog and Facebook page.

Sport Court® To Ignite Social Change in Northern Uganda

Sport Court Teams Up With Global Youth Partnership, Street Soccer USA, When High School Students in Danville, California, Raise Funds to Bring Soccer to Kids in Uganda

Gulu District, Northern Uganda (PRWEB) February 27, 2009 -- The Global Youth Partnership for Africa (GYPA), a non-profit organization in the United States, with an office in Uganda, and Sport Court®, the industry leader in modular athletic flooring for over 35 years, have teamed up to bring the first Street Soccer Pitch to the Gulu District, a region that experienced more than 22 years of war, in Northern Uganda.

This venture was made possible by the efforts of FUNDaFIELD, a non-profit organization started by high-school students in Danville, California, that raised the funds and will build the fields in Uganda. They join GYPA, and Street Soccer USA, who is has provided a generous in-kind donation of soccer kits for the program. According to Garrett Weiss, Founder and Director of FUNDaFIELD, "All of us at FUNDaFIELD are so excited to join GYPA and Sport Court in bringing the game of soccer to kids in Uganda. Kicking a soccer ball while running towards the goal is an experience we hope every child in Uganda can someday enjoy and this is a great first step toward making that a reality," said Weiss.

GYPA is the organizer and manager of Uganda's Homeless World Cup team, which since 2006 has brought young homeless and displaced women and men to the international tournament in Cape Town, Copenhagen and Melbourne.

"Sports can bring social change and help create and enhance life in communities across Uganda. GYPA is thrilled to work with such a stellar group of public and private sector partners," said Jeremy M. Goldberg, GYPA Founder.

Anna Phillips, GYPA Program Coordinator in Uganda said, "The Street Soccer Pitch in Uganda will enable more training and new opportunity for GYPA's all-women's team who will represent Uganda at this year's Female Homeless World Cup in Milan, Italy." She continued, "It is our hope that the larger community, and world will realize the power of sports based solutions to social change."

The pitch will be shipped to Uganda the first week of March, and installation is set to be completed by May 2009. Following installation, try-outs and selection for Uganda's Women's Homeless World Cup team will take place, followed-by an official ceremonial tournament featuring members of FUNDaFIELD and Uganda's Homeless World Cup team Alumni.

Lawrence Cann, Founder and CEO of Street Soccer USA, said "We are pleased to be a sponsor for Uganda's street soccer programs that support the displaced and homeless of Northern Uganda. We recognize that our well being is interdependent, and congratulate our brothers and sisters in Uganda and in GYPA for all they have accomplished."

In addition, Africa Sports Outreach International is also donating jerseys and uniforms for the upcoming soccer tournaments that are slated to take place this summer in Uganda, following the construction of the soccer pitch

Ron Cerny, President and CEO of Connor Sport Court International, said the company is proud of its continuing involvement in sports around the world.

"We have watched individuals and communities grow as the result of the installation of Sport Court surfaces. Just this past year we have installed new Sport Court facilities all over the world--on building roofs in New Delhi, in small towns in Haiti, in Malaysia, on South American beaches . . .we even installed 36 Sport Court surfaces in a single town in Romania. This is in addition to our leading position in sports surfaces here in the U. S. It is gratifying to watch the outpouring of community response wherever Sport Court is installed, whether it's for soccer, futsal, basketball or other sports," Cerny said. "We are happy to be a part of bringing sporting opportunities to people who would otherwise not have access to a safe, high performing playing surface."

The Global Youth Partnership for Africa was established in 2003, and founded by Jeremy M. Goldberg and Joseph Kaliisa-Bagambaki. GYPA aims to cultivate the skill-sets of youth who are changemakers in their community so they can improve health and wellness, economic opportunity and long-term, positive change in their country. GYPA programs encourage sport for social change, cultural exchange, peer-to-peer education, women's empowerment, entrepreneurialism and leadership. For more information visit: www.gypafrica.org

About Connor Sport Court International
More athletic events are played on Connor Sport Court surfaces than on any other sports flooring in the world. Connor sports floors have established themselves as the standard for professional and collegiate sports since the company was founded in 1872. Sport Court® is a registered trade mark of Connor Sport Court International. Since 1974, it has identified the original and authentic modular sport surface, continuously improved and patented to provide the highest levels of quality and performance.

For more information visit: www.sportcourt.com
Phone Jeff Morton, 801-712-6411

FUNDaFIELD is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, run by kids, dedicated to enriching the lives of less fortunate youth in Africa through sports. Our goal is to provide soccer fields and equipment to African schools. For more information visit: www.fundafield.org
Street Soccer USA Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) utilizes soccer as a tool for intervention, education, and empowerment among the homeless in the United States. Our purpose is to harness the power of sport to help the homeless "move off the sidelines of life" and into self-sufficient living. It is also our mission to engage the broader public in the issue of homelessness in new ways, humanizing the issue and changing negative attitudes, stigmas, and stereotypes about who the homeless are and what they need.

For more information: www.communityworks945.org/StreetSoccerUSA

About Africa Sports Outreach International, Founded by Paul Goodrich a former All-American soccer player and coach, is a non-profit organization that helps kids create a more positive image of themselves in their communities. ASO does this by facilitating sports equipment donations. For more information: www.asointernational.org

Sport Court® To Ignite Social Change in Northern Uganda

Sport Court Teams Up With Global Youth Partnership, Street Soccer USA, When High School Students in Danville, California, Donate Funds to Bring Soccer to Kids in Uganda

Gulu District, Northern Uganda (PRWEB) February 27, 2009 -- The Global Youth Partnership for Africa (GYPA), a non-profit organization in the United States, with an office in Uganda, and Sport Court®, the industry leader in modular athletic flooring for over 35 years, have teamed up to bring the first Street Soccer Pitch to the Gulu District, a region that experienced more than 22 years of war, in Northern Uganda.

This venture was made possible by the efforts of FUNDaFIELD, a non-profit organization started by high-school students in Danville, California, that donated the funds to GYPA, and Street Soccer USA, who is has provided a generous in-kind donation of soccer kits for the program. According to Garrett Weiss, Founder and Director of FUNDaFIELD, "All of us at FUNDaFIELD are so excited to join GYPA and Sport Court in bringing the game of soccer to kids in Uganda. Kicking a soccer ball while running towards the goal is an experience we hope every child in Uganda can someday enjoy and this is a great first step toward making that a reality," said Weiss.

GYPA is the organizer and manager of Uganda's Homeless World Cup team, which since 2006 has brought young homeless and displaced women and men to the international tournament in Cape Town, Copenhagen and Melbourne.

"Sports can bring social change and help create and enhance life in communities across Uganda. GYPA is thrilled to work with such a stellar group of public and private sector partners," said Jeremy M. Goldberg, GYPA Founder.

Anna Phillips, GYPA Program Coordinator in Uganda said, "The Street Soccer Pitch in Uganda will enable more training and new opportunity for GYPA's all-women's team who will represent Uganda at this year's Female Homeless World Cup in Milan, Italy." She continued, "It is our hope that the larger community, and world will realize the power of sports based solutions to social change."

The pitch will be shipped to Uganda the first week of March, and installation is set to be completed by May 2009. Following installation, try-outs and selection for Uganda's Women's Homeless World Cup team will take place, followed-by an official ceremonial tournament featuring members of FUNDaFIELD and Uganda's Homeless World Cup team Alumni.

Lawrence Cann, Founder and CEO of Street Soccer USA, said "We are pleased to be a sponsor for Uganda's street soccer programs that support the displaced and homeless of Northern Uganda. We recognize that our well being is interdependent, and congratulate our brothers and sisters in Uganda and in GYPA for all they have accomplished."

In addition, Africa Sports Outreach International is also donating jerseys and uniforms for the upcoming soccer tournaments that are slated to take place this summer in Uganda, following the construction of the soccer pitch

Ron Cerny, President and CEO of Connor Sport Court International, said the company is proud of its continuing involvement in sports around the world.

"We have watched individuals and communities grow as the result of the installation of Sport Court surfaces. Just this past year we have installed new Sport Court facilities all over the world--on building roofs in New Delhi, in small towns in Haiti, in Malaysia, on South American beaches . . .we even installed 36 Sport Court surfaces in a single town in Romania. This is in addition to our leading position in sports surfaces here in the U. S. It is gratifying to watch the outpouring of community response wherever Sport Court is installed, whether it's for soccer, futsal, basketball or other sports," Cerny said. "We are happy to be a part of bringing sporting opportunities to people who would otherwise not have access to a safe, high performing playing surface."

The Global Youth Partnership for Africa was established in 2003, and founded by Jeremy M. Goldberg and Joseph Kaliisa-Bagambaki. GYPA aims to cultivate the skill-sets of youth who are changemakers in their community so they can improve health and wellness, economic opportunity and long-term, positive change in their country. GYPA programs encourage sport for social change, cultural exchange, peer-to-peer education, women's empowerment, entrepreneurialism and leadership. For more information visit: www.gypafrica.org

About Connor Sport Court International
More athletic events are played on Connor Sport Court surfaces than on any other sports flooring in the world. Connor sports floors have established themselves as the standard for professional and collegiate sports since the company was founded in 1872. Sport Court® is a registered trade mark of Connor Sport Court International. Since 1974, it has identified the original and authentic modular sport surface, continuously improved and patented to provide the highest levels of quality and performance.

For more information visit: www.sportcourt.com
Phone Jeff Morton, 801-712-6411

FUNDaFIELD is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, run by kids, dedicated to enriching the lives of less fortunate youth in Africa through sports. Our goal is to provide soccer fields and equipment to African schools. For more information visit: www.fundafield.org
Street Soccer USA Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) utilizes soccer as a tool for intervention, education, and empowerment among the homeless in the United States. Our purpose is to harness the power of sport to help the homeless "move off the sidelines of life" and into self-sufficient living. It is also our mission to engage the broader public in the issue of homelessness in new ways, humanizing the issue and changing negative attitudes, stigmas, and stereotypes about who the homeless are and what they need.

For more information: www.communityworks945.org/StreetSoccerUSA

About Africa Sports Outreach International, Founded by Paul Goodrich a former All-American soccer player and coach, is a non-profit organization that helps kids create a more positive image of themselves in their communities. ASO does this by facilitating sports equipment donations. For more information: www.asointernational.org


# # #

Sport Court® To Ignite Social Change in Northern Uganda

Sport Court Teams Up With Global Youth Partnership, Street Soccer USA, When High School Students in Danville, California, Donate Funds to Bring Soccer to Kids in Uganda

Gulu District, Northern Uganda (PRWEB) February 27, 2009 -- The Global Youth Partnership for Africa (GYPA), a non-profit organization in the United States, with an office in Uganda, and Sport Court®, the industry leader in modular athletic flooring for over 35 years, have teamed up to bring the first Street Soccer Pitch to the Gulu District, a region that experienced more than 22 years of war, in Northern Uganda.

This venture was made possible by the efforts of FUNDaFIELD, a non-profit organization started by high-school students in Danville, California, that donated the funds to GYPA, and Street Soccer USA, who is has provided a generous in-kind donation of soccer kits for the program. According to Garrett Weiss, Founder and Director of FUNDaFIELD, "All of us at FUNDaFIELD are so excited to join GYPA and Sport Court in bringing the game of soccer to kids in Uganda. Kicking a soccer ball while running towards the goal is an experience we hope every child in Uganda can someday enjoy and this is a great first step toward making that a reality," said Weiss.

GYPA is the organizer and manager of Uganda's Homeless World Cup team, which since 2006 has brought young homeless and displaced women and men to the international tournament in Cape Town, Copenhagen and Melbourne.

"Sports can bring social change and help create and enhance life in communities across Uganda. GYPA is thrilled to work with such a stellar group of public and private sector partners," said Jeremy M. Goldberg, GYPA Founder.

Anna Phillips, GYPA Program Coordinator in Uganda said, "The Street Soccer Pitch in Uganda will enable more training and new opportunity for GYPA's all-women's team who will represent Uganda at this year's Female Homeless World Cup in Milan, Italy." She continued, "It is our hope that the larger community, and world will realize the power of sports based solutions to social change."

The pitch will be shipped to Uganda the first week of March, and installation is set to be completed by May 2009. Following installation, try-outs and selection for Uganda's Women's Homeless World Cup team will take place, followed-by an official ceremonial tournament featuring members of FUNDaFIELD and Uganda's Homeless World Cup team Alumni.

Lawrence Cann, Founder and CEO of Street Soccer USA, said "We are pleased to be a sponsor for Uganda's street soccer programs that support the displaced and homeless of Northern Uganda. We recognize that our well being is interdependent, and congratulate our brothers and sisters in Uganda and in GYPA for all they have accomplished."

In addition, Africa Sports Outreach International is also donating jerseys and uniforms for the upcoming soccer tournaments that are slated to take place this summer in Uganda, following the construction of the soccer pitch

Ron Cerny, President and CEO of Connor Sport Court International, said the company is proud of its continuing involvement in sports around the world.

"We have watched individuals and communities grow as the result of the installation of Sport Court surfaces. Just this past year we have installed new Sport Court facilities all over the world--on building roofs in New Delhi, in small towns in Haiti, in Malaysia, on South American beaches . . .we even installed 36 Sport Court surfaces in a single town in Romania. This is in addition to our leading position in sports surfaces here in the U. S. It is gratifying to watch the outpouring of community response wherever Sport Court is installed, whether it's for soccer, futsal, basketball or other sports," Cerny said. "We are happy to be a part of bringing sporting opportunities to people who would otherwise not have access to a safe, high performing playing surface."

The Global Youth Partnership for Africa was established in 2003, and founded by Jeremy M. Goldberg and Joseph Kaliisa-Bagambaki. GYPA aims to cultivate the skill-sets of youth who are changemakers in their community so they can improve health and wellness, economic opportunity and long-term, positive change in their country. GYPA programs encourage sport for social change, cultural exchange, peer-to-peer education, women's empowerment, entrepreneurialism and leadership. For more information visit: www.gypafrica.org

About Connor Sport Court International
More athletic events are played on Connor Sport Court surfaces than on any other sports flooring in the world. Connor sports floors have established themselves as the standard for professional and collegiate sports since the company was founded in 1872. Sport Court® is a registered trade mark of Connor Sport Court International. Since 1974, it has identified the original and authentic modular sport surface, continuously improved and patented to provide the highest levels of quality and performance.

For more information visit: www.sportcourt.com
Phone Jeff Morton, 801-712-6411

FUNDaFIELD is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, run by kids, dedicated to enriching the lives of less fortunate youth in Africa through sports. Our goal is to provide soccer fields and equipment to African schools. For more information visit: www.fundafield.org
Street Soccer USA Street Soccer USA (SSUSA) utilizes soccer as a tool for intervention, education, and empowerment among the homeless in the United States. Our purpose is to harness the power of sport to help the homeless "move off the sidelines of life" and into self-sufficient living. It is also our mission to engage the broader public in the issue of homelessness in new ways, humanizing the issue and changing negative attitudes, stigmas, and stereotypes about who the homeless are and what they need.

For more information: www.communityworks945.org/StreetSoccerUSA

About Africa Sports Outreach International, Founded by Paul Goodrich a former All-American soccer player and coach, is a non-profit organization that helps kids create a more positive image of themselves in their communities. ASO does this by facilitating sports equipment donations. For more information: www.asointernational.org


# # #

From: www.homelessworldcup.org
December 7, 2009
By Tom Lyons

UGANDA grabbed fifth spot in the women’s league after defeating Paraguay in a penalty shootout.

The Africans began well, sharing the ball around with good touch, but it was Paraguay with the first opportunity. A free kick taken by Moerra Afan Afan was pushed wide and the score remained 0-0.

Uganda took the lead at the five-minute mark after a skilful build-up and finish from Rebecca Nakasato.

Despite Paraguay having the majority of scoring chances, they were unable to equalise before halftime. Afan Afan was denied twice more, first by the woodwork and then by the Ugandan keeper, Sarah Nanyonga.

An injury to Hasifa Nanyondo after a desperate attempt to block a shot from Paraguay’s Rossi, showcased the desperation on display from both sides.

The South Americans began the second half well – this time it was Rossi denied by the woodwork. Good defending by the Ugandan captain, Angel Taka, ensured the Africans kept their lead until the three-minute mark when a lovely right foot strike from Afan Afan made it 1-1.

The intensity grew in the last few minutes, with no side able to gain the ascendency. Afan Afan had another chance with 30 seconds remaining, but a diving save from the Ugandan keeper Nanyonga meant the game would go to penalty shootouts.

Afan Afan was first up for Paraguay. Her shot was saved, as was Nakasato’s for Uganda. Rossi was also unable to capitalise, before Angel had a chance to win it for the Africans. The Ugandan captain made no mistake and will enjoy a very happy birthday tomorrow.

"The Women’s Homeless World Cup: Rebecca From Uganda is Unbelievable"
Excerpt from the New York Times Soccer Blog
By: Lawrence Cann
December 6, 2008

"Uganda, Paraguay, Zambia, Liberia, Colombia, Australia, Cameroon and Kyrgyzstan entered the 2008 Women’s Homeless World Cup.

Zambia has shown itself to be the class of the tournament, with Colombia and Liberia close behind. The shy but talented Ugandan team has become stronger and stronger during the competition. The team’s top scorer, Rebecca, was particularly impressive in the team’s 8-6 victory over Paraguay. She is only 16 years old, from Kibuja. Her soft-spoken voice belies the confidence evident in her smile. She plays soccer every day, she said, though in her town there is no formal chance to train.

Anyira Gweyo, translated as Girls Kick It, is the project organized by Global Youth Partnership Africa. The project uses soccer and the tryouts for the Homeless World Cup as a way to engage and educate street youth in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and a few surrounding communities.

Rebecca is one of five sisters. She says she is a good student, but soccer is her dream. She would like to be a coach and she asked f there were really professional women’s teams in the U.S. “I would like to play there,” she with a smile.

When asked what her family thought of that, she said, “Oh, they do not believe I am in Australia, and they will not believe it even when I return.”

Full text of article: http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/06/homeless-world-cup-perspectives-from-india-england-the-us-uganda-and-nigeria/

Uganda's "Angel," Angel Taka who has excelled at the 2008 Female Homeless World Cup with many goals, assists and most of all demonstration of team work, was awarded the Nike Fair Play Award this week. Angel is one of just 5 players to receive this recognition from the 56 teams participating in the tournament.





As part of the award, Angel received a $500 Nike Shopping Spree Gift Certificate. Following the award presentation, Angel said, "This is a team award, it is not just for me. The team will also get something from the Nike store."

Stay tuned for more from Melbourne. The Lady Uganda Cranes stand proud with 3 Wins and 4 loses, and currently place 5th among the 8 Women's Teams. Today, they face off against Cameroon.