Kids In Cleats Was Just The Beginning

Kids In Cleats Was Just The Beginning

An idea that started with shoeing the feet of young soccer players in Cameroon has gone much, much further in little more than a year.

Co-Founders Erica Gerstman and local soccer coach Julio Tsasse of the Montclair charity called KIDS IN CLEATS (K.I.C.), ran a hugely successful soccer equipment drive in the spring of 2019. Last August, Gerstman and Tsasse traveled to Tsasse’s homeland of Cameroon, Africa where they were able to distribute hundreds of pairs of cleats, uniforms, shin guards and other equipment they had collected all over the country. 12 teams were fully outfitted in Tsasse's hometown of Mbouda. But that was really just the start.

Since January of this year, the charity has been able to clear 5 acres of land in Mbouda and soon after, the enormous job of creating a field with very limited equipment and supplies began. The workers have also taken on the daunting task of providing safety around the field's perimeter with a newly constructed wall. Almost all of the work has been done by hand. Next up is an irrigation system, seeding, and security fencing to enclose the entire facility. This incredibly difficult and expensive work is now the focus of the charity's fundraising efforts along with, most importantly, providing for each player's yearly education ($150 per player) and offsetting the expenses of families for food.

The charity is holding another collection drive from June 15-30th here in Montclair and in Clarkstown, NY where Tsasse also coaches young players. In addition to gear, they are hoping to collect used but working cell phones, laptops and tablets for both safety and learning for the children in the Mbouda community.

This tiny village is full of hopeful young people who know next to nothing about the world beyond their home. Their living conditions are almost universally unsafe and impoverished. Despite the hardships these kids face, they are excited about the future of their town with the new sporting and educational facilities and opportunities that are now possible thanks to the work of Gerstman, Tsasse and an army of donors who have come out to help.

If you have soccer gear or working electronics to donate, the Montclair Fire Department at 1 Pine Street will collect these items from June 15-30th. You can check out all of the good work they are doing at www.kidsincleats.org