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It's my joy to introduce you to someone so dear to me, Mike Kimuli.
Mike was born in a very poor village in rural Uganda. His childhood home had a dirt floor, and mud walls. His mother died when he was 7, after giving birth to twin girls. His father, who I've met, is a kind-hearted man who is so proud of his son, but is shackled with alcohol addiction, and jobless. Mike, along with 8 other children, were raised by his grandmother. They struggled immensely, it was a rarity to eat 2 meager meals a day. Even having seen it, and though I've spent this last year living amongst it, it's nearly impossible to comprehend the level of poverty that he has endured.
Mike is now 21 years old. Kelly and I had him over to our home to celebrate his bday last December. That was the first bday celebration he ever had.
From the very first time I saw Mike on the soccer field, I immediately saw he was a promising player. His talent earned him a scholarship to primary (middle) and secondary school (high school). However, during his final year in Secondary, his team failed to qualify for the national soccer tournament. The school director heartlessly cut Mike's scholarship, giving Mike no other option but to drop out, without completing his education. His focus and goals shifted to pursuing soccer 100%. I asked him, "Mike, if given the opportunity, would you go back to school, or is your focus now football?" "Coach," he said, "In my heart I love to study." My heart wept.
I have spent countless hours with Mike. In fact, when Kelly and Jackson were away in the states for 2 weeks, Mike stayed with me. I was training Mike 1-on-1, aside from team trainings, and pushed him as hard as I could every day. This kid is fierce, and relentless. We spent time praying together, reading the Word, and singing worship songs together.
It's impossible to tell of how much I love and care for Mike, but I can tell you, that although he is closer in age to me as a brother, in many ways I regard him as my son. As I want the best for Jackson, and will stop at nothing to guide and support him, so it is with Mike.
Lastly, Mike has a heart of gold. I trust him with my family, my son, my money, and have given him free reign in our home. Mike recently asked me, 'Coach, there are many many players here in Uganda. Why me? Why are you helping me in this way?' I told him it's because he deserves it. Simple as that. He is loyal, kindhearted, honest, and is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Unlike many players, Mike is not after money. He wants to change his situation, and support his grandmother, who gave everything to raise him. He has the tenacity to suffer, struggle and endure. His work ethic is unlike any I've ever seen in a player, and I've seen the rate at which he consumes information on and off the field. He truly has the mentality of a student, in every area of his life. He so desires to be a student once again and finish his education; to have another chance after his dream was ripped from him so unjustly. The tragic reality is that here in Uganda, less than 20% of students complete high school because of cost. Let's pull together and give Mike, who is SO deserving of an opportunity, another chance at realizing his dream, which will undoubtedly launch him into a future bright with opportunity.
Mike was born in a very poor village in rural Uganda. His childhood home had a dirt floor, and mud walls. His mother died when he was 7, after giving birth to twin girls. His father, who I've met, is a kind-hearted man who is so proud of his son, but is shackled with alcohol addiction, and jobless. Mike, along with 8 other children, were raised by his grandmother. They struggled immensely, it was a rarity to eat 2 meager meals a day. Even having seen it, and though I've spent this last year living amongst it, it's nearly impossible to comprehend the level of poverty that he has endured.
Mike is now 21 years old. Kelly and I had him over to our home to celebrate his bday last December. That was the first bday celebration he ever had.
From the very first time I saw Mike on the soccer field, I immediately saw he was a promising player. His talent earned him a scholarship to primary (middle) and secondary school (high school). However, during his final year in Secondary, his team failed to qualify for the national soccer tournament. The school director heartlessly cut Mike's scholarship, giving Mike no other option but to drop out, without completing his education. His focus and goals shifted to pursuing soccer 100%. I asked him, "Mike, if given the opportunity, would you go back to school, or is your focus now football?" "Coach," he said, "In my heart I love to study." My heart wept.
I have spent countless hours with Mike. In fact, when Kelly and Jackson were away in the states for 2 weeks, Mike stayed with me. I was training Mike 1-on-1, aside from team trainings, and pushed him as hard as I could every day. This kid is fierce, and relentless. We spent time praying together, reading the Word, and singing worship songs together.
It's impossible to tell of how much I love and care for Mike, but I can tell you, that although he is closer in age to me as a brother, in many ways I regard him as my son. As I want the best for Jackson, and will stop at nothing to guide and support him, so it is with Mike.
Lastly, Mike has a heart of gold. I trust him with my family, my son, my money, and have given him free reign in our home. Mike recently asked me, 'Coach, there are many many players here in Uganda. Why me? Why are you helping me in this way?' I told him it's because he deserves it. Simple as that. He is loyal, kindhearted, honest, and is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed. Unlike many players, Mike is not after money. He wants to change his situation, and support his grandmother, who gave everything to raise him. He has the tenacity to suffer, struggle and endure. His work ethic is unlike any I've ever seen in a player, and I've seen the rate at which he consumes information on and off the field. He truly has the mentality of a student, in every area of his life. He so desires to be a student once again and finish his education; to have another chance after his dream was ripped from him so unjustly. The tragic reality is that here in Uganda, less than 20% of students complete high school because of cost. Let's pull together and give Mike, who is SO deserving of an opportunity, another chance at realizing his dream, which will undoubtedly launch him into a future bright with opportunity.
Organizer
Mike Tobie
Organizer
Rome, GA