Introducing the Coaches of Reynosa, Mexico!
Refugees United Soccer Academy (RUSA) has officially launched in Reynosa, Mexico! This past March, three US iACT team members traveled to the border city to train and hire four new coaches who will help establish our first soccer academy in Mexico. You can read more about that process on our recent blog, Unidos Podemos!
Today, we are excited to introduce you to the four amazing coaches joining our team! Welcome on board Kayleen, Abraham, Israel, and Itzel!
Kayleen Montañez
Coach Kayleen is from Austin, Texas, and lives in Reynosa, Mexico. She is 19 years old, finishing high school, and studying cosmetology.
She was inspired to join RUSA by, “seeing the foundations of the academy and the trajectory it has.”
[My hope is] that all the children learn many things, to be able to be happy even in bad circumstances, that they can forget all the bad things for a few hours and learn to share, to have fun in a healthy way, to respect each other, to love each other and above all to be happy.
Abraham Reyes Morales
Coach Abraham is 27 years old and from Reynosa, Mexico. He loves sports, running, and music which he plays in a group at his church. What brings him joy in life is being of service to those around him.
He was inspired to join RUSA by the opportunity “to help the children who are in the academy forget a bit about the complicated situations they are going through, also to be able to help teach them about unity, respect, and also to take care of their health through sport.”
My hope is that the academy will be extended in the future to the other immigration centers in Reynosa and why not, to other cities, and thus be able to help more children who are going through stress and different health problems and teach as I already mentioned, about respect, unity, equality and health through sport. My hope is to help as many people as possible.
Israel Lopez Hernandez
Coach Israel is from Reynosa, Mexico. He loves playing piano and spending time with his family who always supports him in everything he does.
He was inspired to join RUSA because he wants “to support the children, I want them to forget their situations a little.”
My hopes are as Abraham said that it extends to the future.
Itzel Ortiz Lara
Coach Itzel is from Orizaba Veracruz and now lives in Reynosa, Mexico. She describes herself as very cheerful and talkative, and she loves to play with her three children in her spare time. She also knows how to make decorations for social events and likes pastries!
She was inspired to join RUSA because “since I was little I have liked soccer and seeing in the training sessions that we live with children from other parts inspires me to help, and also my three children because it is a job opportunity for me.”
My hope is that it expands in various parts of Mexico, and to be able to be part of them as a coach and teach what they taught us with love.