Through a partnership with the JBay Recycling Project to equip local soccer players with essential soccer boots, the Marina Football Club collected and exchanged recyclable materials for 20 pairs of soccer boots, allowing their team to enjoy the game they love.
Mzikayise George, manager of Marina FC, revealed that due to financial constraints the team was unable to provide soccer boots for all 20 players, aged eight to 13, prompting them to explore alternative solutions.
After learning about the good work that the JBay Recycling Project does for children in the community, George and soccer coach, Melisizwe Thundube, decided to approach the organisation for assistance.
As previously reported by Kouga Express, the JBay Recycling Project was established in 2011 to alleviate poverty and pollution by providing access to basic essentials for children, while simultaneously cleaning up the environment and educating the youth about the importance of a healthy environment.
After children from the community deliver recyclable material every Monday after school, the items are weighed and each child is rewarded with points, referred to as “mula”, which can be used to “buy” items like toiletries, food, stationery, second-hand clothing, and toys from their swap shop.
Once George and Thundube understood how the organisation functioned, the pair began collecting recyclable material and delivered it to the JBay Recycling Project.
Fortunately, in fewer than two months, they have been able to collect enough recyclable material to “buy” soccer boots for all 20 players at the swop shop.
“It is great working with the JBay Recycling Project because after collecting recyclable material and dropping it off, you always get something in return. You never leave empty-handed,” said George.
He highlighted that Marina FC still requires several essential items to enhance their training and gameplay, including soccer balls, cones, poles, and water bottles.
Furthermore, George emphasised that the team’s long-term goals include securing a dedicated soccer field for practice and a clubhouse to serve as their base.
Tanja Lategan, JBay Recycling Project co-ordinator, said they are very grateful to all their donors who enable them to provide access to the tools the children need to pursue healthy activities.
She further said it gives them hope for the future when they see the children’s dreams come true.
“We are proud to live in a town and a country where people like the Marina Football Club staff unselfishly dedicate their time and resources for the greater good. They inspire us,” said Lategan.
She further acknowledged that numerous individuals in their community are dedicated to providing children with opportunities and that the JBay Recycling Project is committed to supporting these efforts wherever possible.
To support their participants’ interests, Lategan said they started stocking chess sets a few years ago, upon discovering that some of their regular members were part of a chess club.
Sadly, she said their swap shop was recently burgled twice, resulting in the theft of approximately 180 pairs of school shoes, sizes 1 to 10.
To gain access to their swap shop, Lategan said the thieves bypassed three layers of security to steal the shoes, leaving only about 20 pairs behind.
“These thieves are depriving almost 200 learners of essential school shoes,” said Lategan.
She said the stolen shoes were part of a generous donation from Spar earlier this year, intended to support local school children.
“We are appealing to the community and local schools to be vigilant, and report any suspicious offers of these shoes,” said Lategan.
“A reward of R500 is being offered for information leading to the capture of the thieves, or recovery of the stolen shoes.”
For more information about the JBay Recycling Project, visit www.jbayrecyclingproject.org.
For more information about the Marina Football Club, contact Mzikayise George at 060 937 3104.
