For the last year, we have worked to bring Africa to the United States. Specifically, the Democratic Republic of Congo Youth Football Team to be the only African team to compete against leading academy programs from around the globe, including Inter Milan, Manchester City, Chelsea, Boca Juniors, and Paris Saint-Germain at Disney’s MagiCup in Orlando, Florida. The tournament, as part of the United Nations “Football for the Goals” initiative, will reinforce its mission to align global sport with sustainable development and community impact.

The road to MagiCup for the Democratic Republic of Congo youth team began with a community-based scouting initiative across the underserved neighborhoods of Kinshasa. In Livulu, Kinsenso, Mazongo, and Kingabwa, local partners, including the Onatti Foundation and Leaders Sports Academy, conducted open evaluation sessions with more than 200 young players. Following a final selection camp, 15 players, comprising 12 main squad members and three alternates, were chosen to represent the DRC on the international stage. This was to be a big summer for DRC on the world stage. The DRC Leopards are competing for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 52 years, also in the United States and Mexico. While we prepared for this spectacular moment, our attention was forced to turn elsewhere.

We are now dealing with a situation of far greater consequence, which has forced us to rethink our plans. The deadly Ebola virus has reemerged, affecting people of all ages in the DRC, with grave impacts. The U.S. government has implemented temporary travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain amid outbreaks in East and Central Africa. The policy bars non-U.S. passport holders who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days from entering the United States. Unfortunately, the kids' youth team we had hoped to host at Disney World will have to wait for next year’s tournament.

To the extent you would have supported the soccer team’s trip to the tournament, with your permission, we would like to redirect those funds to pivot to vital treatment and necessary health supplies in the most urgent areas of the DRC, especially given the meager WHO funding levels at present. For those who have not had the opportunity to donate yet, please consider this worthy medical cause, no matter how big or small.

Leo Kessler