The Thunder Bolt

From October to December last year, I started Sports for Hope, a service project where I trained deaf and non-verbal kids ages from 8 to 15 about basic soccer skills. I partnered with the Thuy An Rehabilitation center in Bavi to organize these weekly training sessions. Over the course of eight weeks, I organized and coached 10 Sunday sessions, each with 20 to 25 kids.

My goal for this project was to create an environment where anyone, despite their age or disability, can experience a real game of football. I wanted to inspire and create connections among these children through a sport we all love. 

During each 90 minute long session, I trained young players about the fundamental skills of soccer from: dribbling, passing, and shooting. At the end of each practice, I organized scrimmages so the kids could experience the fun and excitement of a real football game. In each practice, I had a translator who could speak Vietnamese and use sign language so I could communicate each drill more effectively. I also used my lucky money to buy and donate essential sports equipment to the center during this project such as balls, goal nets, pennies, cleats, and cones for the kids to play after the project.

Throughout this summer I continued and expanded my project, adding Pham Minh Son as a new coach and extra guests to join. This summer session we had 8 sessions spanning from June to July. We hosted each practice on weekly Wednesdays and Sundays. Each practice day we had to spend 4 to 5 hours in the morning to accomplish the project. In the last session, we were able to host a mini-tournament so the kids could experience the feeling of competitive football. 

Even though these kids can not communicate with each other like we do, through hand signals and body language, they are able to encourage and motivate each other through each drill. Being able to support these kids every week and bringing a smile on their faces shows how fast kindness and gratitude can spread. Our project helped these kids step out of their comfort zone while building their strength and confidence. We were able to build a great habit for these kids to exercise and play sports every day.

In the future, we can expand this project even further through including new activities or sports such as basketball or volleyball. Through the National Honor Society (NHS), we can have a platform to host these sessions on a regular basis and build a larger community. 

 - Henry, G10 

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