TAKING A STAND
It starts with the shoes.
In the central African country of Cameroon, in the village where he was born, Julio Tsasse is famous. And in Montclair, where he now coaches soccer to area youth, he is asking for the community that he has given so much to, to help him give back to the one where he was born.
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Erica Gerstman and her family traveled to Africa in the summer of 2018 and returned with a renewed commitment to find a way to give back. Her older son was under Mr. Tsasse’s soccer tutelage and out of their experience in Africa and connection to Mr. Tsasse, the idea for KIDS IN CLEATS (K.I.C.) was born.
Cameroon suffers as a nation from abject poverty and soccer is often the unifying force for the youth of the country. K.I.C. is starting out small – they are collecting soccer cleats (new and used) for children who often play the game in their bare feet. A collection drive is now underway with all three Montclair fire houses serving as drop-off points through the month of March. Shin guards and uniforms are also gladly accepted.
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With a planned trip to Cameroon this summer to assess the needs of the community on the ground, K.I.C. is starting with the absolute basics – shoes. They will hand deliver the items they collect and get a sense of the bigger picture needs which include education, soccer clubs, counseling and schools with special attention being given to at-risk youth and helping them to find a path and direction through organized soccer leagues and tournaments. The long term shot-on-goal is to build a community center that will provide a safe and productive space for the kids and their families and actual soccer fields for them to play on.
Ms. Gerstman’s son came up with the name for the charity. He and his friends are excited about being part of the plan to help kids who are in need, halfway around the world. In time, they, their parents and Mr. Tsasse are hoping to make a real difference in the lives of as many boys and girls as possible. There is much left to do.
It starts with the shoes.
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