Mark and Glori, along with their daughter, have been avid supporters of our football program for the past two years. Living in New York, their decision to support football teams in rural India might not seem immediately obvious.
Their introduction to Enabling Leadership occurred when their daughter, Sailor, a high school senior and a football player herself, expressed a desire to use the sport for social good, and their first interaction with our team solidified their decision to get involved.
Our mission especially struck a chord with Glori, who serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at a school district in New York. In simple words, she is responsible for deciding what 8000 children in grades Kindergarten through 12 learn at school. Given her daily interaction with children and dedication to shaping their futures, Glori recognizes the significance of extracurricular activities such as sports and music.
During a recent conversation, she introduced the concept of “Literacies for Life,” a term commonly used in the New York education sector. This approach emphasizes the importance of well-rounded development that extends beyond just basic reading and writing skills. It focuses on equipping students with crucial life skills such as perseverance, problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and financial literacy. Highlighting the parallels between these “Literacies for Life” and the leadership skills fostered within our programs, Glori appreciated how our initiatives provide students in rural India with an education akin to that received by children in New York.
Mark and Glori have also witnessed firsthand the positive impact that sports can have. Sailor has been involved in some form of sports since she was two years old, eventually settling on soccer, or football as it is called in India. Her life revolves around the game, and she has found most of her friends and improved her social skills on the field. Therefore, she was taken aback to realize that what is a regular part of her daily life is a privilege for many children in India. Disturbed by this realization and motivated to help, Sailor initiated a fundraising campaign for our children. She approached parents and coaches, designed sweatshirts, and actively posted on social media to raise $20,000. The encouragement she received from her peers further fueled her motivation, and her team was the first to join the Kidz4Kidz Teams initiative.
To better understand the significance of our work and observe how sessions were implemented, the family made a trip to India last summer. They spent time attending various program sessions, conversing with parents, teachers, and coaches, among other activities. While Sailor was impressed by the friendliness of girls her age, her parents were blown away by the engaging Lego sessions and the effective utilization of limited resources. Glori emphasized how the program encouraged communication, a skill even lacking among her students back home.
Deeply moved by this experience, the family expressed a strong desire to return and witness the continued growth of the program. While Sailor embarks on her college journey this year, her parents, Mark and Glori, understand the transformative power this experience holds. They harbor the hope that Sailor will continue to champion the cause, potentially even inspiring her peers to get involved. In the meantime, they actively advocate for Enabling Leadership. They enthusiastically share their experience with everyone they meet, fostering awareness and igniting a desire to contribute. This unwavering support serves as a testament to the program’s profound impact, not just on the lives of children, but also on the hearts and minds of those fortunate enough to be involved.
By Garima Kumar (Communications Associate)
