Masiphumelele Soccer Program in Association with Bartosch Foundation’s
The Bartosch Foundation’s Soccer Sunday Program creates safe spaces for youth to develop and thrive by teaching soccer skills, providing healthy meals and expanding their minds through educational excursions around Cape Town. The program is in Masiphumelele, Noordhoek with 40 kids, run by Petya Bartosch. It started in October 2020 after she ran a food parcel project throughout the struggles of COVID- 19. She saw that the children were lacking in healthy activities to do on weekends, craving sport and guidance and thus chose to focus on them rather. The passion and talent in Masiphumelele for soccer is beautiful to see.
Her vision is to harness the talent already there and create a safe space for it to grow, filled with friendship, emotional guidance, love and support. The children start off by saying a verse holding hands and share what they are grateful for from the past week. Coach Xolani then runs a fitness program, followed by friendly soccer matches and a healthy meal. Once a month Petya rents two taxis and takes the kids on adventure/ educational excursions such as hikes, beach days and to visit museums.
“Sports have the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sports can create hope, where there was once only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination. Sports is the game of lovers.” – Nelson Mandela.
This quote by Nelson Mandela has inspired this approach to empowering youth to reach
their goals and transform their lives.
Follow us on Instagram: Bartosch Foundation
Email: petya@bartosch.co.za
Call: 082 616 8696