Page 79 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Winter 2020 Digital Interactive Issue.

coached in Kentucky since 2008 I knew that clubs
weren’t doing enough to reach players in those
communities. In fact, I left the previous club I was
at for that very reason. I did some research in
2016 and realized that central Kentucky had the
second largest Congolese refugee community
in the Midwest, in addition to an already large
Hispanic and Central American population.”

Initially the outreach program consisted of
free clinics in the Georgetown and Lexington
communities. The club would run clinics at local
parks, community centers, and churches. Then,
in the Spring of 2018, thanks to some grant
funding from corporate partner Target, the club
was able to hire a few local Congolese coaches
and the program took off with 30 local refugee
children training twice weekly.

Although the outreach program was for kids of
all abilities, three of these initial refugee players The acceptance and support of the initial three The lessons being taught daily on the soccer pitch
showed outstanding skills and would be asked players from the outreach program by the in Georgetown by Coach Khamisi Campbell
to join one of the Georgetown FC competitive Georgetown FC soccer community was such is a much broader lesson than just soccer. It is
club teams for children born in 2007. The a success that in the fall of 2018 another 18 the basis for an education in to a much more
three boys, Ombeni, Blessing and Hope were players joined the competitive teams across connected world. Regardless of the score after
quickly embraced by their teammates and their all age groups. Currently, almost 40 former each match, the children of Georgetown FC
families who assisted the children in getting refugee players are on the traveling competitive program are winners in the game of life.
to practices and games, and made sure they teams. Although we use the term “refugee,” these
were acclimated to this new experience of travel players and their families are fully assimilated This season, Coach Campbell was named
across Kentucky and the region playing the into life in rural Kentucky and are fully entrenched Kentucky Youth Soccer Coach of the Year and
beautiful game. into the Georgetown FC soccer family. These coached his Georgetown FC 2007 Boys Team
families are now full-fledged United States to the regular season title of the Kentucky Youth
Ombeni Shendera, who predominately plays citizens and are working hard to achieve their Soccer Association’s Kentucky Premier League –
striker for his team was one of the players to join American Dream. First Division with seven wins, no losses and two
the 2007 competitive team. Ombeni, one of draws. The entire community of Georgetown,
eight children of Esau Shendera & Bahati Eliza, The integration of the outreach children into Kentucky can be proud of the success this team
was born in a refugee camp in Tanzania. His the Georgetown FC family has been beneficial is realizing both on and off the field of play.
family relocated to Kentucky four years ago and, to all involved. The children from the local Well done Coach Campbell, well done!!
pursuing the American Dream, they recently community have been exposed to culture and
purchased their first home. individuals from outside of their normal world.
The local children now have a greater sense
Blessing Galuma, a central defender, was born of the world and how the outreach families
in a refugee camp in South Africa. His parents, have strived to get to Georgetown after years
Leone and Betitia Galuma. fled conflict in the of strife and hardships. The local community
Congo for safety and security and to find a has been exposed to the work ethics and desires
brighter future for their eight children. Due of the outreach families in pursuit of their U.S.
to current United States immigration policy, citizenship and to become homeowners. In
Blessing’s oldest sister has been unable to join the refugee community, a higher emphasis is
the family and is currently living in Australia. placed on education and most children plan
Blessing and his family have been in Kentucky to attend college. BRAD THOMAS
for four years and considered trying to go to ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Australia. But, because the kids were already A major key to the success of the Georgetown Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
settled in good schools and they had recently FC program has been the partnerships with
purchased a home, they are hoping they will all community leaders. Coach Campbell and the
be reunited soon in the United States. club have developed strong relationships with 4775 Lexington Road 40391
Kentucky Refugee Ministries, the local Congolese P.O. Box 707
Hope Iranzi, a winger on the field, is the son of community as well as the Catholic community Winchester, KY 40392-0707
Emmanuel Nkeshimana and Jeanette Meteso. outreach programs.
Hope’s family has been in Kentucky for more
than a decade after he and his seven older Coach Campbell states proudly, “Our families Tel. 859 595 6251
siblings were born in a refugee camp in Rwanda. on the various teams have been wonderfully
Soccer runs through the Iranzi family, with Hope’s welcoming to the outreach families. We have Brad.Thomas@EKPC.coop
oldest brother who played college soccer at really created an inclusive environment for all
Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, and of our kids, not just our immigrant and refugee
another older brother currently participating in players. We have stayed true to our values to be www.DataIsPower.org
the Academy program of FC Cincinnati, a Major a community club that is reflective of our local
League Soccer professional team. community diversity.”

79. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL