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We are raising funds to support Alima Mmunga's goal to train and compete at the US Soccer Development Academy at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota.
Alima is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country where more than two decades of brutal civil war has claimed as many as 6 million lives. While this suggests the difficult circumstances that led Alima's family to the US, it does not tell you who Alima is as a person.
Our family has known Alima for four years as he has traveled with us to soccer practices, games, and tournaments. He is a smart, funny 14-year-old who lives with his parents and two younger siblings in Iowa City. He is an honor roll student, a hard worker, the recipient of a Mayor's Leadership Award, and a phenomenally gifted athlete.
In the fall of 2018, Alima's soccer talents caught the attention of a recruiting scout from the US Soccer Development Academy at Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Minnesota, one of three most recognized soccer residential programs in the country. Over the past several months, Alima has visited the school, practiced with the team, been interviewed and submitted his admissions materials, including recommendations from his teachers and school principal.
Alima has been accepted to Shattuck-St. Mary's and will begin attending this fall. A substantial scholarship from the school, along with support from a group of private individuals, will pay for his tuition, room, and board. We are seeking to raise $6,000 for team fees that pay for Alima's training and travel for the year as the team competes throughout the US and Canada. Support from off-line has allowed us to adjust our goal to $3,000.
At Shattuck-St. Mary's, Alima will train daily with his team and travel throughout the year to compete against the most elite teams in the nation. [This past year Shattuck's U17 boys' team was ranked #1 in the US Central Division and its U15 boys' team was ranked 9th.] As impressive as the athletic opportunity is, Alima will also be challenged off the field by Shattuck's rigorous academic program as the school prepares its students to attend top-ranked universities. Alima will live on campus where he will have friends, classmates, and peers, including students who do not play sports, and a support system to guide him as a young adult. The outstanding academic support along with the school's location, just four hours from Iowa City, makes it an ideal situation as Alima's parents want him to remain close to home so they can visit and trust that he will continue his education.
Those of us who have watched Alima play truly marvel at his abilities. He has unmatched speed and turning ability, quick feet, a wicked shot, and great passing and decision making. He is a team player--as eager to assist in goal scoring as taking the shot. He is truly a beautiful player and it was not unusual to have parents, coaches, or tournament officials comment to us after games about his amazing play.
Alima is determined to see how far he can take competitive soccer and to use the sport as a way to expand his college opportunities. The program at Shattuck-St. Mary's will give him the training, competition, and academic preparation to reach his full potential. We are grateful for any contributions that help him to achieve his ambitious goals.
Note: I am Sarah Walz, a friend of Alima's. Our family has transported Alima to club practices and games for the past three years. I offered to set up this fundraiser to support other efforts to ensure that Alima could attend Shattuck St. Mary. While the school provides scholarships for tuition and room and board, scholarships do not cover the required training and travel fee for soccer, which is $6,000. All (100%) donations to this campaign will go to paying these soccer training and travel fees. I plan to close this fundraiser by the end August to withdraw funds. Funds will be deposited to my account and I will write a check from my account directly to Shattuck St. Mary's soccer fees.
Alima is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a country where more than two decades of brutal civil war has claimed as many as 6 million lives. While this suggests the difficult circumstances that led Alima's family to the US, it does not tell you who Alima is as a person.
Our family has known Alima for four years as he has traveled with us to soccer practices, games, and tournaments. He is a smart, funny 14-year-old who lives with his parents and two younger siblings in Iowa City. He is an honor roll student, a hard worker, the recipient of a Mayor's Leadership Award, and a phenomenally gifted athlete.
In the fall of 2018, Alima's soccer talents caught the attention of a recruiting scout from the US Soccer Development Academy at Shattuck-Saint Mary's in Minnesota, one of three most recognized soccer residential programs in the country. Over the past several months, Alima has visited the school, practiced with the team, been interviewed and submitted his admissions materials, including recommendations from his teachers and school principal.
Alima has been accepted to Shattuck-St. Mary's and will begin attending this fall. A substantial scholarship from the school, along with support from a group of private individuals, will pay for his tuition, room, and board. We are seeking to raise $6,000 for team fees that pay for Alima's training and travel for the year as the team competes throughout the US and Canada. Support from off-line has allowed us to adjust our goal to $3,000.
At Shattuck-St. Mary's, Alima will train daily with his team and travel throughout the year to compete against the most elite teams in the nation. [This past year Shattuck's U17 boys' team was ranked #1 in the US Central Division and its U15 boys' team was ranked 9th.] As impressive as the athletic opportunity is, Alima will also be challenged off the field by Shattuck's rigorous academic program as the school prepares its students to attend top-ranked universities. Alima will live on campus where he will have friends, classmates, and peers, including students who do not play sports, and a support system to guide him as a young adult. The outstanding academic support along with the school's location, just four hours from Iowa City, makes it an ideal situation as Alima's parents want him to remain close to home so they can visit and trust that he will continue his education.
Those of us who have watched Alima play truly marvel at his abilities. He has unmatched speed and turning ability, quick feet, a wicked shot, and great passing and decision making. He is a team player--as eager to assist in goal scoring as taking the shot. He is truly a beautiful player and it was not unusual to have parents, coaches, or tournament officials comment to us after games about his amazing play.
Alima is determined to see how far he can take competitive soccer and to use the sport as a way to expand his college opportunities. The program at Shattuck-St. Mary's will give him the training, competition, and academic preparation to reach his full potential. We are grateful for any contributions that help him to achieve his ambitious goals.
Note: I am Sarah Walz, a friend of Alima's. Our family has transported Alima to club practices and games for the past three years. I offered to set up this fundraiser to support other efforts to ensure that Alima could attend Shattuck St. Mary. While the school provides scholarships for tuition and room and board, scholarships do not cover the required training and travel fee for soccer, which is $6,000. All (100%) donations to this campaign will go to paying these soccer training and travel fees. I plan to close this fundraiser by the end August to withdraw funds. Funds will be deposited to my account and I will write a check from my account directly to Shattuck St. Mary's soccer fees.