Survivor winner’s soccer camp tackles African AIDS
By Bernice Pontanilla
[From The Winnipeg Sun]
Ethan Zohn, winner of the Africa component of the popular Survivor reality show series, will be in Winnipeg for a one-day Survivor Soccer Camp on Aug. 30.
The camp is geared towards youth age six to 18. But no worries, kids. No one will be voted off this island.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Zohn, 29, by telephone from New York City. “It’s going to be kids helping kids ’cause the money we raise there will go directly to Grassroots Soccer.”
Grassroots Soccer is non-profit organization Zohn started after his Survivor Africa win. Zohn, who played professional soccer with teams in the United States and Zimbabwe, was moved by the African AIDS crisis to help.
The organization takes African soccer players, who, said Zohn, are viewed as “heroes” in their communities, and teaches them about HIV and AIDS. The players, in turn, go into school classrooms and talk to children about AIDS prevention.
“The theory is simple,” said Zohn. “Use positive role models in the classrooms and it’ll have a better effect on the behavioural change of these children.”
The charity, which has been up and running in Zimbabwe for nine months, has reached over 2,000 children and will expand to Ghana and Zambia in the fall.
“It’s a fantastic, worthwhile event,” said Charles (Chic) Devenney, coach of event co-host Sons of Italy soccer club, which is contributing players and coaching staff.
“This is a tremendous connection,” added Devenney. “To think we’re helping kids who’d never know about Winnipeg, never know about Manitoba.”
The camp, also co-hosted by the Lions and the Phoenix Soccer Club, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Anderson Park. For registration inquiries, call 947-6700 (ext. 237).
All proceeds from the event go towards Zohn’s organization and the Lions and Phoenix soccer programs.