Global Youth Partnership for Africa and Andean Outreach Project partner to deliver youth and sports for social change programs in the Southern Hemisphere.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2009



A partnership that will expand the realization that youth are an integral part of development, social change and peace-building efforts globally is official. The Global Youth Partnership for Africa (www.gypafrica.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering understanding, appreciation, and respect between young American and African leaders: tomorrow's global decision-makers, and the Andean Outreach Program (www.andeanoutreach.org), which aims to help the marginalized people of South America through funding and execution of volunteer lead community improvement projects



Jeremy Goldberg, Founder of GYPA, and Terry McCormick, Founder of AOP, both native Ohioans and childhood friends, reconnected 2006 prior to Terry's founding of the Andean Outreach Program in Huancayo, Peru. "It was the perfect timing for us to reconnect. I had been keeping tabs on Jeremy's efforts with GYPA, and I was planning a one-year trip to Peru," Terry remarked from his AOP U.S. offices in San Francisco. "The opportunity to join up and work on these important youth social change programs is exciting."



The two have worked together on the development of educational programs for American youth, as well as community, grassroots programs for youth in Africa and Peru. "This is a unique opportunity and a unique time to make this 'south-south' connection for communities and youth with hopes and dreams for better tomorrow," Jeremy said from his office in Washington, D.C. In fact, in the coming year, they will announce innovative programming that will establish new links between global youth and those from Latin America and Africa. Specifically, these catalytic programs will engage American, African and Latin American youth grassroots development projects, cultural exchanges and immersions and social change projects.



Moreover, a long-term effort to enhance the skills, leadership and education of Ugandan youth. "Terry continues to impress me with his ideas, his experience and most of all his passion for changing the world," Jeremy explained from the Washington, D.C. offices of GYPA. His trade as an architect will enable us to develop eco-friendly approaches to joint projects efforts in Africa and Latin America,"



In addition, GYPA and AOP will focus on joint efforts to provide sports infused leadership and educational programs for youth. These include the development of street soccer programs, and a longer-term objective to develop workshops and summer sports and leadership programs for Youth.



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For more information about GYPA visit: www.gypafrica.org

For more information about AOP visit: www.andeanoutreach.org

From: www.homelessworldcup.org
December 7, 2009
By Tom Lyons

UGANDA grabbed fifth spot in the women’s league after defeating Paraguay in a penalty shootout.

The Africans began well, sharing the ball around with good touch, but it was Paraguay with the first opportunity. A free kick taken by Moerra Afan Afan was pushed wide and the score remained 0-0.

Uganda took the lead at the five-minute mark after a skilful build-up and finish from Rebecca Nakasato.

Despite Paraguay having the majority of scoring chances, they were unable to equalise before halftime. Afan Afan was denied twice more, first by the woodwork and then by the Ugandan keeper, Sarah Nanyonga.

An injury to Hasifa Nanyondo after a desperate attempt to block a shot from Paraguay’s Rossi, showcased the desperation on display from both sides.

The South Americans began the second half well – this time it was Rossi denied by the woodwork. Good defending by the Ugandan captain, Angel Taka, ensured the Africans kept their lead until the three-minute mark when a lovely right foot strike from Afan Afan made it 1-1.

The intensity grew in the last few minutes, with no side able to gain the ascendency. Afan Afan had another chance with 30 seconds remaining, but a diving save from the Ugandan keeper Nanyonga meant the game would go to penalty shootouts.

Afan Afan was first up for Paraguay. Her shot was saved, as was Nakasato’s for Uganda. Rossi was also unable to capitalise, before Angel had a chance to win it for the Africans. The Ugandan captain made no mistake and will enjoy a very happy birthday tomorrow.

"The Women’s Homeless World Cup: Rebecca From Uganda is Unbelievable"
Excerpt from the New York Times Soccer Blog
By: Lawrence Cann
December 6, 2008

"Uganda, Paraguay, Zambia, Liberia, Colombia, Australia, Cameroon and Kyrgyzstan entered the 2008 Women’s Homeless World Cup.

Zambia has shown itself to be the class of the tournament, with Colombia and Liberia close behind. The shy but talented Ugandan team has become stronger and stronger during the competition. The team’s top scorer, Rebecca, was particularly impressive in the team’s 8-6 victory over Paraguay. She is only 16 years old, from Kibuja. Her soft-spoken voice belies the confidence evident in her smile. She plays soccer every day, she said, though in her town there is no formal chance to train.

Anyira Gweyo, translated as Girls Kick It, is the project organized by Global Youth Partnership Africa. The project uses soccer and the tryouts for the Homeless World Cup as a way to engage and educate street youth in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and a few surrounding communities.

Rebecca is one of five sisters. She says she is a good student, but soccer is her dream. She would like to be a coach and she asked f there were really professional women’s teams in the U.S. “I would like to play there,” she with a smile.

When asked what her family thought of that, she said, “Oh, they do not believe I am in Australia, and they will not believe it even when I return.”

Full text of article: http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/12/06/homeless-world-cup-perspectives-from-india-england-the-us-uganda-and-nigeria/

Uganda's "Angel," Angel Taka who has excelled at the 2008 Female Homeless World Cup with many goals, assists and most of all demonstration of team work, was awarded the Nike Fair Play Award this week. Angel is one of just 5 players to receive this recognition from the 56 teams participating in the tournament.





As part of the award, Angel received a $500 Nike Shopping Spree Gift Certificate. Following the award presentation, Angel said, "This is a team award, it is not just for me. The team will also get something from the Nike store."

Stay tuned for more from Melbourne. The Lady Uganda Cranes stand proud with 3 Wins and 4 loses, and currently place 5th among the 8 Women's Teams. Today, they face off against Cameroon.

Uganda's Team was recently featured in Melbourne's "The Age" Daily Newspaper and Uganda's Leading Daily Newspaper, the New Vision.

Click below to see the articles!

http://www.theage.com.au/national/homeless-world-cup-is-where-the-heart-is-20081203-6qo1.html

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/30/662652

http://www.happynews.com/news/1242008/uganda%20guardian%20angel%20world%20cup.htm

Ugands's National Team particpating in the Homeless World Cup played their hearts out over the last 24 hours. In their first match-up versus Krygzstan, they played a tireless first half and kept the game close. Unfortunately, they lost 8-2.

Later in the day, Uganda faced off against an impressive team from Zambia. The group stay closed, one again in the first half, but fell short with a 6-1 victory to Zambia.

However, fortune would turn our way when Uganda faced Australia at the main field lcoated at Federation Square. The crowd of nearly 2,000 watched Uganda reign supreme with a shut-out victory, 4-0. The match was full of exciting goal-keeping ánd excellent passing led by Rebecca, Angel who netted the 4 goals for Uganda.

Photos and vidoes coming soon.

Gomo Tong Football Club 2008, representing Uganda at the Inaugural Female Homeless World Cup arrived Saturday evening to Melbourne, led by Coach Robert Ssemakula. The women settled in and met with players from many teams participating in the Women’s Cup, but also the Homeless World Cup which this year features 48 nations.

Last night, the Official Team Draws took place and Gomo Tong Football Club’s match early round match play will be versus: Liberia, Zambia, and Colombia. The first match will take place on Tuesday, December 2 at 2pm versus Krygzstan who defeated the Australian Socceroos, 8-2 on Monday, December 1.

This evening, Uganda will square off versus Zambia at 7pm.

Additionally, Team Captain, Angel was selected to appear at a media junket as one of four players to speak to the media about her story and her participation in the Homeless World Cup. The story was broadcast internationally!

More to come, but in the meantime meet your Uganda National Team here: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/jergoldberg/GomoTongFCMelbourneHomelessWorldCup?authkey=Ws4719lsSto#

Stay tuned for updates here at the GYPA website as Team Uganda participates in the Inaugural Female Homeless World Cup in Melbourne, Australia from November 30 - December 7, 2009.

The Global Youth Partnership for Africa (GYPA)recently hosted it's first Immersion here in the United States. We hosted youth leaders from Cameroon who previously participated in the US/Cameroon Immersion in Cameroon in June 2007. GYPA participants included: Jeremy Goldberg, Pat Wu, Annelisa Lindsay, and Karen Hopkins. Special thanks to GYPA Alumni: Jaime Alvis, Anna Phillips and David Post who also helped us to facilitate meetings here in Washington, D.C.

Also, special thanks to Saul Garlick, Vanessa Carter, and Julie Michelle-Waltz of SMRC, and Jerual Mackey and Sophie Waskow who are members of the Starting Bloc Institute D.C. Alumni Chapter.

The Cameroon delegation included: MS. ELVIRA LEINYUY, MR. GEORGE NJIFAW, MR. ELVIS BESSINGI, MS. BARI FANSO and MS. PATIENCE ELANGO of the Cameroon Youths and Students Forum for Peace (CAMYOSFOP) in Washington, D.C. November 8 – 14, 2008. These CAMYOSFOP Youth participated in the US/Cameroon Youth Immersion that was held in Cameroon from June 10 – 26, 2007. The Washington, D.C. program served as a platform for further dialogue, potential collaboration and interaction between U.S. and Cameroon Youth.

View photos here

The Washington D.C. Forum discussed ideas, strategies and action items for potential future US/Cameroon collaboration; consisted of meetings on youth development and participation in decision making with youth, NGOs, university students, academics, foundations and other civil societies group. The meetings attended were:

• Amnesty International – Ilona Kelly, Individuals at Risk Campaigner for Africa
• Search for Common Ground – Felix Unogwu, Specialist Children and Youth, Institutional Learning Team
• One Campaign – Josh Lozman, Health Policy Manager
• Ashoka – Simon Stumpf, Africa Division
• National Endowment for Democracy, Dave Peterson, Africa Department Director
• Embassy of Cameroon - Naomie BEGALA MIKEL, Second Counselor
• Washington, D.C. for Obama - Adam Barr, Founder

The participants also presented about their programs and expertise in the following speaking engagements:

• Starting Bloc Institute - Roundtable Discussion on Social Entrepreneurship
• Center for Strategic and International Studies - Next America Fellows Roundtable: US/Cameroon Discussion
• Georgetown University – Student Movement for Real Change Student Chapter Roundtable:“Youth perspectives on the development challenges in the 21st century”

Additionally, the participants participated in cultural tours of Washington, D.C. that included visits and site-seeing to the George Washington University Campus, American University Washington College of Law, Georgetown University Campus, the U.S. Holocaust Museum, Union Station, the Washington National Cathedral, the U.S. Capital Building, the Washington, D.C. National Mall, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts

We are grateful to all of the organizations and individuals who helped to make this a reality and specifically thank the US Embassy in Cameroon and Embassy of Cameroon in Washington, D.C. for their support of this exchange. Finally, a BIG thank you to our friends and partners in development and peace building in Cameroon!