GUILDFORD - Every Thursday night at Hjorth Road Elementary, a group of roughly 20 children fills the gym with laughter and footsteps as they learn to play soccer, but organizers say they aim to teach them much more than that.
The inclusive soccer program is put on by the Baobab Inclusive Empowerment Society, based in Whalley, and is a free program for children ages five to 13 who cannot afford to pay for recreation. Certified coaches are brought in to teach the children.
The program was born last year after some parents who were accessing the organization's other programs expressed a desire to put their children in sports but had no money to do so.
"Most of them are refugees and immigrant parents," said the society's director Felix Kongyuy. "Most of them were newcomers as well, and they needed a place where they could meet and make some friendships."
Kongyuy said too often, children don't get enough exercise.
"That is one of the most fundamental goals that we have, because we've realized that a lot of young kids these days just sit in front of the TV and play games," he said.
And while children learn about the sport, they are also taught life skills.
"Most of the children, they come from different backgrounds. Working together is something that they learn," Kongyuy said. "One of our core focuses is to promote multiculturalism. As a result of being here, they create new friends and they get to know others who are quite different than them. So we are promoting friendship as well. We want to empower the kids with skills to lead these groups one day, and to teach them about peace, which is very important."
Jane Liu's son, six-year-old Hui, takes part in the program and he loves it, she said.
"He enjoys it so much. Every time he asks me, 'When is the soccer class?'" she said, adding that he had never participated in sports before because she couldn't afford it.
"It's very expensive. For me, my husband is not in Canada, I'm a single mom, so I can't work a full-time job so my income is low. I cannot pay for my son to go to soccer class," she said.
Liu said the class has benefited him socially, and he's made friends.
"It gives kids a chance to play. It's very great," she said. "I am very thankful to have this program."
Currently, the society pays to rent out the gymnasium to run the program, but hopes to find a free space to offer the class.
To get involved, email info@baobabinclusive.ca or call 778-385-5543.
areid@thenownewspaper.com
