News

March 2012

The Anglican church’s central Gasabo Diocese has agreed to be the sponsoring church for the expansion of Upward Soccer Rwanda leagues.  We are pursuing a goal of “One Month, One Parish”  as the Lord blesses growth in additional areas of the country.
 
July 2011

In God’s providence, three college students from Mississippi were given the opportunity to travel to Rwanda and work with kids in a local orphanage.  Prior to the trip, they had heard about KSA and the Upward Soccer Rwanda program, and wanted to contribute to this ministry while in Kigali.
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June 2011

Global Gateways along with the Freshman Class of 2014 from Oklahoma Christian University are proud to have made a contribution of 75 kids-sized soccer balls to KSA and Upward Soccer ministries in Rwanda! A special thanks to Academy, Mrs. Amy Janzen & all of OCU Student Life for helping Gateways get the shipment put together!
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July 2010

Since February, over 400 kids have begun participating in Upward Rwanda league play, in four Kigali churches. And 4,000 Upward t-shirts have been delivered, plus additional soccer balls. We pray for expansion to additional churches as funds and lay leadership are provided.
 
February 2010

Upward leagues have been launched!  Four Anglican churches have now received Upward training and will begin play in February. Churches who desire to have an Upward league can email or call Ben Byiringiro, as noted below.
 
September 2009

KSA has received IRS approval for 501(c)(3) status. As of March 25, 2009, all contributions to KSA are tax deductible. All gifts and contributions to KSA will be immediately documented for your federal income tax deductions.
 
July 2009

KSA announces the hiring of Ben Byiringiro as its Director for Rwanda. His current priorities are to meet with Christian church leaders in Kigali, and other locations, to discuss how churches can set up their own Upward Soccer (Football) leagues, and obtain equipment resources, such as shirts, balls, goals, leaders' manuals and award buttons and pins.

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About Kids' Soccer Africa

 

Future Upward Team Players give new Upward shirts a field test!

Kids' Soccer Africa (KSA) is a Christian sports organization with a primary goal of initiating and sustaining an Upward soccer program in Rwanda—in coordination with Upward Soccer USA, of Spartanburg, S.C. As it is expanding its soccer program internationally, Upward is an active partner with KSA in providing resources, materials and training.


Rwanda, of all the countries of Africa, has the spiritual foundation and committed leadership to become a model for the rest of the continent. Applying principles of forgiveness and reconciliation, the country is focused on moving beyond the tragic genocide of 1994 and the ethnic tensions that resulted in great personal despair and widespread poverty.


Kids Playing

 

From the very young to senior fans, Rwanda is also a country that loves soccer (called football in Rwanda). Sadly, the resources for organized sports are few. Dirt fields, banana leaf balls and bare feet are all too common. In this environment, an experienced, Christian-based program, like Upward Soccer, has exciting potential for impacting the young lives—and future leaders— of Rwanda.


The primary mission of Kids' Soccer Africa is to provide both launch and follow-up support for Christian-based soccer programs in Rwanda. This involves a strategic partnership with Upward USA in the free distribution of team T-shirts, basic soccer supplies and Upward leadership manuals to churches in all size towns and communities—working to establish their own year-round leagues. Long-term sustainability is also an important goal, which will be supported by a full-time Rwandan KSA/Upward director for the country to oversee administration, ongoing church/leader training, and supplies and equipment distribution.

 
 

Gallery

Rwanda Upward Trainer Oliver Ndarwubatse teaching a new class of Kigali coaches.


Recently trained church leaders ready to begin Upward league play.


Drills

Running drills with the kids in camp.

 

Teaching Time

Teaching time during practice.

 

Scrimmage

Scrimmage after practice.