After 2 months of program closure we are back on the field. We are taking this as a small step cautiously forward. The crisis of Coronavirus is not over and yet the Haitian government has declared that the problem has passed. Public schools have reopened and for most the island is acting as if it is business as usual.

We are fortunate to be a part of a global sport for development network and it has been our partners Coaches Across Continents and Soccer Without Borders that created some new social distance games to safely return back on the field with our kids. We have increased our sanitation processes and hand wash stations around the field. To help our coaches monitor social distancing and proper handwashing by the kids we have added 6 assistant coaches. Each of the assistant coaches is a GOALS alumnus that is familiar with our programs and excited to give back to the next generation. We are excited that 3 of them are female consistent with our equal play rule.

At the same time, we are continuing our messaging on Covid19 prevention, soap and face mask distribution in the rural sites where we work. Our efforts have been met with extreme appreciation and as one community member put it, “Thank you for remembering us.”

We are the only organization working in these areas and without our efforts already vulnerable communities would be on their own to navigate this pandemic.

What we have found over the past decade of operating is that we are stronger due to the partnership with the communities we work in. The only way we can be successful is to include community members in the decision-making process and to have transparency at every step.

We have weathered our fair share of natural (hurricanes, extreme flooding) and man-made disasters (political instability and cholera) and together we will weather this storm.

Our work is focused on providing a safe space for kids to play soccer and receive an education. It is our objective to improve not only the physical and mental health of participants but also their environment.

Returning to the field was anticipated by everyone, staff, and kids alike. We will monitor the situation closely and if we witness any sort of signs of the disease, we will shut down accordingly.

The kids say they missed seeing their friends and coaches and being able to have an activity during these trying times that helps them to remove stress. We are happy to see their smiling faces so eager to learn, play and grow.