Youth & Sport

The Kandale community in 2021 organized an exciting soccer tournament that brought together 20 teams from as far away as 50 kilometers. Close to 500 young people took part in the tournament in what was a rewarding sporting event and community-building exercise.

Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide and individual Congolese athletes have gained world prominence playing for the national teams of European nations. Thanks to the support of our donors, Reve Kandale Foundation has been able to equip young people in and around Kandale with high quality soccer kits. Kick for Nick in Connecticut and Dwight Short, DLS Consulting, Inc. in Florida have generously provided us with over 300 soccer kits. This helps bring the community together as spectators and allows young people to do what they love to do most after school: Play Soccer!

Studies show that 80 percent of Congolese youth are underemployed and about 1,700 unemployed young adults live in the area surrounding Kandale. These youth often move to the cities in pursuit of opportunities that often do not exist. This type of engagement of youth helps curb the rural exodus so that Kandale’s families can remain strong and the community vibrant. We invest in this program since it has proven to be an effective tool for bringing communities together and supporting the youth.

In April 2018, young people from Kandale trekked 55 miles, largely on foot, to play soccer in Mukedi as part of the Inter-Africa Mennonite Mission (AIMM) Leadership Coaching Forum. With the support of the community, they are planning for this trip again in May 2020. This is an example of how valuable soccer is to the lives of young people in rural Africa.

We now have a donor who is committed to supporting the renovation of the current soccer field to provide a safe environment to play. The village children take pride in their teams and a well-maintained soccer field adds to community pride. The Kandale community, and especially the lives of children in Kandale, are being transformed because of donors such as you.

Greatest Sport Moments Gallery

Watch video