In the beginning of 2025 SEEDS started to partner with Inspire FC, a football club based in Bandung, Indonesia, but already spread into 5 cities across the country. I am grateful for the opportunity to work as a football coach and be part of several social programs this club is running beside the everyday academy.
One of these programs is the “Champions Program”. This program is designed for children who are living in difficult situations of poverty, where the parents struggle to pay for school fees, where money often isn’t enough to cover daily expenses, not to mention activities like joining a football club. Across the 5 cities there are now 11 “Champions”, boys and girls, who are part of this program – we are aiming for 50. These Champions will be helped financially with a scholarship not only for our academy but for their school as well; they will get financial help for school equipment like uniforms or shoes and football material, transportation money and fees to play tournaments. In every city one of the local coaches of Inspire is responsible for the Champions, visiting their home and their school. In addition to financial support all the Champions of one city will meet every two weeks with the coach/mentor for a time where they can openly share about their experiences and feelings. Every other week there are tutor classes, where the Champions can gain additional skills, like English classes, teaching about canva (online graphic design), social media, and other life skills (cultural awareness, gardening, etc.)
It is a joy working together with the local program manager to set up operational systems to improve the follow up on the Champions, for finances, as well as for communication between the city leaders of the program and supporters/donors.
During the meetings with the “Champions” I feel we do not only invest by sharing, helping or teaching, but I am also learning a lot about their life and the challenges they face.
It is encouraging to see that the club can already see results from this program. Some of the “Champions” have already been able to finish their school with good grades that enables them to find a good job afterwards, to study, to become a coach in this club or even start their own social organization.