Aloha, my name is Kaimana and I’m from Honolulu, Hawaii. I started playing soccer when I was 7 years old, and it has been a big part of my life ever since. I’m in the 11th grade and play soccer for Punahou School as well as the Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club. I am also a Boy Scout with the Aloha Council, Troop 33 working towards becoming an Eagle Scout. For my Eagle Project, I wanted to find something that allowed me to combine my passion for scouting and soccer.
I became very interested in GOALS Haiti after learning that they were providing children with soccer shoes and equipment so they could play soccer in rural Haiti. Soccer is great for making friends and it is so much fun! More importantly, I learned that GOALS also provides academic support as well as community service project opportunities, which is very similar to Boy Scouts.
My goal was to collect 100 pairs of soccer shoes for the children of Haiti. This was my first time organizing such a big project and I really wanted it to go well. GOALS Executive Director Kathy McAllister was very supportive and helpful through every step of the process. I collaborated with scouts from my troop and other Oahu troops to create a promotional video about Haiti and about my Soccer Shoe Drive for GOALS. I distributed the promotional video and flyers to my troop, soccer club, school soccer team, classmates, family and friends. The Soccer Shoe Drive for GOALS was held on August 21, 2021 at my neighborhood park. I am grateful for the help of my family and boy scouts from Troop 33 who assisted in collecting, cleaning and organizing the shoes. Due to the recent 7.2 earthquake in Haiti, we also accepted donations of school shoes. I was amazed at the number of people who came out to support, especially those I had not met before and who gave so generously. By the end of my project, we collected 140 pairs of soccer shoes, 90 pairs of school shoes, and 190 pairs of socks for the children of Haiti.
My Eagle Project taught me about the challenging issues Haitians face and how we can make a difference when we work together. I learned a lot about preparing, organizing and adapting for success even during a pandemic. I realize why I love soccer so much, how it creates a bridge for us to connect even across the ocean. I am proud to be an Ambassador for GOALS Haiti and will continue to share about the difference they are making in Haiti. Developing leadership skills, promoting equality, and working together for healthier communities are important for the future of Haiti and to the world.