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NEWS & EVENTS

Beyond the Scoreboard, Beautiful Moments

Edior’s note: This was originally posted on darfurunited.com by i-ACT Director and Co-Founder Gabriel Stauring. The chosen Darfur United 15, singing their anthem with pride and heart during today’s pre-game introduction versus Padania. After the game, our Darfur United players looked tired and upset. They went against a strong tournament favorite, Padania, a region of Northern Italy. It was painful to lose 20 to 0, no matter what we told them about how polished they looked fr

My Golden Year

Editor’s Note: This blog was originally posted on DarfurUnited.com by Sara-Christine Dallain. It was another day of stress for our team, but today, since its my birthday, I’m focusing on the people I’m celebrating with. Among them, is Darfur United player, Ismail “the comedian.” New to the DU squad this year, Ismail is so easy to be around. He is starting to feel like a brother, teasing me and cracking jokes at any opportunity. He’ll puts up his fists and asks me to box with

Signs of Respect and Friendship

Editor’s Note: This blog was originally posted on DarfurUnited.com by Sara-Christine Dallain. Greeting the players might be one of my favorite moments. Its custom to greet each person, one by one, taking the time to shake hands with each. Shaking hands actually turns into hand holding while you exchange the “hello, how are you, I’m a fine, how are you, I’m fine, thank you, how are you, I’m fine…” No joke. It gets repetitive. But I’ve learned that the long greeting is a sign o

Top 10 Things I Learned On My 19th Trip to Darfuri Camps

#iACT19 #iact19 #topten

Potential and Pair of Cleats

This is how I imagine the team tomorrow morning as they prepare and pack to begin their journey to Sweden. They have an early start. At 5:30 am, they’ll squeeze in two land rovers to start their journey to N’Djamena, the capital of Chad. First, in order to ensure they don’t get caught on the wrong side of the river, literally, the team will drive a few hours to town of Abeche. In Abeche, they’ll spend a couple nights together in a compound. The compound is big enough that the

The 15

Editor’s note: This was originally posted on darfurunited.com by i-ACT Director & Co-Founder Gabriel Stauring. Scroll down to watch the video of Iggy and the DU squad give thanks to you, the DU Supporters. Video: Gabriel Stauring / i-ACT The 15 come from Darfur, but they were children when they left their homeland. They now carry a label that does not define them: refugee. The 15 players of Darfur United are individuals, complex and fascinating, and they have hopes and dreams

A Pick-Me-Up with Nine Days to Go

Editor’s note: This was originally posted on darfurunited.com by i-ACT Project Coordinator Sara-Christine Dallain. i-ACT Director/Co-Founder Gabriel Stauring captures our players and their smiles in their 2014 Official DU tees. Go DU! We’ve been in Chad now for 21 days. Nine more to go. As I write this I’m profusely sweating. The heat has suppressed my hunger, and I can’t seem to quench my thirst. But so goes the Chad experience. As Gabriel likes to say, “We roll with it.” Ou

True Teammates

Editor’s note: This was originally posted on darfurunited.com by i-ACT Project Coordinator Sara-Christine Dallain. Sara-Christine (in the sunglasses) watches the DU men play their homegrown game with rocks to pass the time between training sessions. Photo: Gabriel Stauring / i-ACT Hello from Goz Beida, again! This morning we made it back to Goz Beida by road. The journey was relatively quick and easy. Five of us and all of our luggage, crammed in the back of an old Land Cruis

[VIDEO] Darfur United 2014, On-the-Road Update

Editor’s note: This video was originally posted on darfurunited.com by i-ACT Director Gabriel Stauring. Darfur United 2014, On-the-Road Update from i-ACT on Vimeo. The i-ACT team heads back to camp Djabal to visit the Darfur United players. Here’s an update from Gabriel, with Sara-Christine behind the camera, of what’s up the road. For more, visit: darfurunited.com #GabrielStauring #darfurunited #Djabal #iACT19 #iact19 #flattire

Little Ripples: We’re doing Something Right

Editor’s note: This blog was originally posted on LittleRipples.org by Sara-Christine Dallain. In the afternoon, we visited two households where we got to spend time with Little Ripples mothers. We were graciously welcomed into their homes, where we sat outside, on mats under the shade of thatched coverings. We were able to hear a detailed account of each mother’s day. As well as gain insight into her child’s behavior, and how if at all, Little Ripples has impacted her child

Food is Scarce, Love is Abundant

Editor’s note: This was originally posted on littleripples.org by i-ACT Project Manager Sara-Christine Dallain. Love is in abundance at camp Goz Amer where Sara-Christine and Team i-ACT are conducting year one assessments of the Little Ripples program. Photo: Gabriel Stauring/i-ACT Day Two of assessments is now complete, with another 80 respondents! If you can believe it, today was hotter than yesterday. We are outside all day for the assessments — luckily under the shade of

[VIDEO] Darfur United, In Between Trainings

Editor’s note: This video was originally posted on darfurunited.com by i-ACT Director Gabriel Stauring. Darfur United 2014, in Between Trainings from i-ACT on Vimeo. What do the Darfur United players do during their time off? There are no TV’s or wifi at their compound. But they still have great fun and games, and some of them display their talents to the delight of their friends. URGENT: We need your help to get the team to Sweden for the ConIFA World Football Cup! Please c

[VIDEO] Little Ripples at One Year

Little Ripples at One Year from i-ACT on Vimeo. The i-ACT team returns again to the Little Ripples school in refugee camp Goz Amer. What they find is beautiful. The teachers have made this a magical place. At a time when the camp is experiencing severe cuts in food and services, Little Ripples is a safe, fun place for children to learn and play. #GabrielStauring #GozAmer #iACT19 #iact19 #LittleRipples

Positive Signs with the Little Ripples Program

Editor’s note: This was originally posted on littleripples.org by i-ACT Project Coordinator Sara-Christine Dallain. i-ACT’s Sara-Christine interacts and exchanges “hellos” with the Little Ripples students. Photo: Gabriel Stauring/ i-ACT. I left the compound this morning a little stressed. Still lots of work to be done everyday in getting the Darfur United squad to Sweden. On the bumpy drive over to refugee camp Goz Amer, I kept trying to get my mind right. Trying to get my se

The Little Things

Editor’s note: This was originally posted on littleripples.org by i-ACT Director and Co-Founder Gabriel Stauring. The little things on this trip that can bring joy. Photo: Gabriel Stauring/i-ACT I just ate some crackers with peanut butter and jelly. I used to eat that a lot as a kid, but I don’t think I have ever enjoyed it so much as I just did. Our current trip to Chad is now 17 days old, and I’m more and more becoming aware of the little things that can bring joy—and sadn

Smiling Through it All

In an environment of constant trauma, smiles are priceless. Photo: Sara-Christine/i-ACT The children are so small and frail standing next to me in their dirty, tattered clothes. I stand under the late afternoon sun on the sandy field, watching the top 21 Darfur United players train. Every once in a while I feel a little bit of my hair get tugged or brushed. I turn and smile. They giggle and persist. After several minutes, I decided to turn around, bend my head down, making my

We Believe in Each Other

Editor’s note: This was originally posted on darfurunited.com by Darfur United Coach Ambassador Margo Baker. Darfur United: One group, one unit, one team. Sometimes it’s more than just skill that makes someone a great player. Attitude, ability, and leadership are just a few of the things to be considered. And while many of the men at tryouts possessed one or two of these qualities, I feel that I have chosen the top players who embody all of these traits and more. The men sele

With Great Honor Comes Great Responsibility….

Today we held a meeting with all the players and Gabriel said to them, “with great honor comes great responsibility.” When he said it, I immediately knew he was right. Basically, he hit the nail on the head with how I feel. The definition of the word honor is to regard something or someone with great respect. I consider it an honor every time I get to step onto the pitch and coach. Once they are out on the field, these men are no longer refugees but athletes. Athletes who emb

[VIDEO] Darfur United 2014 Tryouts Day 1

This video was originally posted on DarfurUnited.com by Gabriel Stauring. Darfur United 2014 Tryouts Day 1 from i-ACT on Vimeo. It was an exciting, emotional day at camp Djabal, as Darfur United hopefuls started try-outs early in the morning. Coach Margo, Gabriel, and Sara-Christine had a blast meeting old and new players and getting them going on the field. Want to here more about Gabriel’s speech? Check out Sara-Christine’s blog here. #2014DUTryouts #darfurunited #iACT19 #i

[VIDEO] Creating Darfur United 2014, the Journey Begins

Creating Darfur United 2014, the Journey Begins from i-ACT on Vimeo. Wow, that was a bumpy last few minutes of the flight! And, as soon as we landed in the dirt strip that is Goz Beida airport, the airplane crew was in a rush to get out because the weather was getting even worse. A sandstorm seemed to be arriving. The bumps and the sand meant nothing to me, though. I am just happy to be in Goz Beida and just a few minutes from camp Djabal. We start try-outs tomorrow! Check ou

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