Lockdowns are actually increasing sports ministry opportunities!

Coach Francis in Gulu giving a ball to a local coach.

The SOM Uganda coaches in Gulu have recently responded to several requests for sports equipment from different youth soccer team leaders from communities that they have not yet served. With no school, there is a huge need for things to keep teenage boys busy. Idleness unfortunately leads to harmful behaviors like substance abuse and sexual abuse for these young young men. Just having a ball is a huge thing, because games keep boys occupied. The SOM staff are providing balls as resources allow.

The SOM Uganda leaders have told us that there will be significantly increased demand and opportunity to involve more children in sports ministry as the lockdown restrictions continue to ease. This means more opportunities for all of the off-the field gospel discipleship, mentoring and teaching opportunities that are so important for lives to be transformed.

If you’re interested in helping to provide soccer balls during this time, please email Mary Ellen at our office. We can take in-kind donations of sports equipment. But the most timely way of helping provide balls is to make a monetary donation, so the balls can be bought quickly in-country.