February 20, 2018

Defending the Trophy!

Congratulations to the Suba Lakers who retained the trophy the 2018 Mbita Open Tournament!

A few of our long-time Suba Lakers were in the area able to play in the tournament. Including Alicent, Lencer, Teresa and Cisca.

 
Alicent with Coach Dave

We also have some newly recruited girls in primary school. 4 from Kisui, 2 from Nyamanga and 2 from Mbita Primary. 

With combination of the experienced talent and wisdom of our older girls, along with some new energy and young talent, the Suba Lakers were unbeatable. 
 
Girls posing with the Championship Trophy

In 4 matches they never allowed a single goal! 
Suba Lakers vs. Lambwee Girls High School -- 4-0
Suba Lakers vs. St. Joseph Girls High School -- 5-0
Semi Finals: Suba Lakers vs. Father Tilen Secondary School -- 1-0
Finals: Suba Lakers vs. Nyamogo SS -- 2-0

Way to go girls!

Theresa and Alicent, 2 of the oroginal Suba Lakers

February 6, 2018

Barefoot Coaching Night was a great sucess!




On Barefoot Coaching Night at the Dawson Community College (Glendive, Montana) basketball games on Feb 1st, 24 pairs of new shoes were donated and will be distributed to those in need within the Montana/Dakotas Region by Samaritan's Feet International.

Over $750 was donated to the Suba Lakers Football Club. These funds will be used the money to buy ~10 pairs of soccer cleats and pay for an entire year of high school education for one girl.

The coaching staffs for Williston State College and DCC participated in the event by taking off their shoes and coaching barefoot to raise awareness for the millions of people throughout the world who don't have proper footwear. The Lady Bucs and the Bucs both won their games this year, as well as at last year's Barefoot Coaching Game. Perhaps the coaches should go barefoot more often!?

Thank you Glendive, Montana and Dawson Community College for your partnership!
 


January 18, 2018

Barefoot Coaching 2018 Fundraiser

The Suba Lakers Co-Founder, Joe Peterson, is truly a coach to the core. After he left his home in Kenya of 11 years, he returned to the U.S. and is now the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Dawson Community College (NJCAA) in Glendive, MT. We are proud to see him continue to create a legacy in the world of coaching, training up young men and being a great example and mentor in their lives; just like he was for the Suba Laker girls for many years.


We are honored he will be participating in BAREFOOT COACHING to raise awareness of the millions of children without shoes around the world. This event is in collaboration with Samaritan's Feet which distributes shoes locally and globally to those in need.

Join us at Dawson Community College

Thursday, Feb 1st, 2018
Women's Game at 5:30pm
Men's Game at 7:30pm

All donations received during this event will be used to help purchase new cleats for the Club and also assist our girls with their cost of their high school education.




If you can't attend the event in person, you can provide a donation online through Hands and Feet, Inc.

 -or-


Live on Feb 1st at 5:30pm & 7:30pm MST

BAREFOOT FOOTBALL IN KENYA
Soccer cleats in Kenya, are a rare gift. If a school or club can afford cleats, they often go to the boys first. Girls receive hand-me-downs which are often in terrible condition and the wrong size. Most girls throughout rural Kenya play soccer in their bare feet. This is extremely dangerous when pitches are covered in thorns, rocks, glass and other debris. Shortly after the Suba Lakers was formed, the Club saw the need for the girls to learn to wear cleats; called "boots" in Kenya. It was a rough transition as the girls were used to and comfortable in their bare feet. Yet, over time, the girls themselves learned the advantage and benefits of wearing cleats. Today, the girls can't imagine playing without them!

EDUCATION IN KENYA
School in Kenya is not free. The average cost of high school is $400/year, for 1 student. The average income for families in the Mbita area is $800/year. Hence, many families struggle to send all their children to high school. The Suba Lakers officials believe that all girls not only deserve to complete their high school education but that it significantly impacts their future possibilities in life. In Homa Bay County, only 16% of girls finish high school (2013 stats). For the Suba Lakers, our dream is to see each girl finish their high school education. Through the support of sponsors and donors, the Club partners with the girls' families to help pay for their education. Our Sponsor a Girl program permits individuals (or families) to partner with a specific girl and help her complete this dream.


Thank you Uncle Joe (or Coach Pete as they call you in the USA), for continuing to partner with the Suba Lakers and be a great voice for children and youth in Kenya! We love you!

Go DCC Buccaneers! 

January 16, 2018

Final Year of High School

In 2014, eight of our Suba Laker girls achieved a great milestone by finishing 8th grade.

In a region where less than 50% of girls finish primary school, this is a huge accomplishment!



Now, 4 years later, they are starting their final year of secondary school. And, they are working towards overcoming even larger odds. In the area around Mbita, less than 20% of girls complete high school!! All, except 1, of these girls are still in school!

Each of these girls have overcome many obstacles and challenges to reach this far.
And because of and in spite of those challenges...
     they are tough
     they are hard-working
     they are focused
     they are persistent 

     they have hope
     they are Suba Lakers!


Please join us in praying for these girls as they start on their final, and toughest, year of secondary school!