Soccer Gear For Gambia helps children in need

In the United States, it’s referred to as Gambia.

In Africa, where natives take nothing for granted, it’s called the Gambia. Indeed, it’s a wonderful place filled with joy and appreciation.

Also unlike America, there are no luxuries.  Fremont Ross graduate Carter Smith witnessed a remarkably different perspective than our society as he visited Gambia with Soccer Gear For Gambia.

“Being in the Gambia helped me realize, here, we have it all,” Smith said. “We’re beyond blessed. There, they don’t have much, but they have each other and they’re happy.”

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Smith’s father Brant Smith owns Maumee Soccer Centre. Co-owner Hassan Touray was born in Gambia and started Soccer Gear For Gambia.

Used equipment is donated at the facility throughout the year. Soccer balls, cleats, socks, shin guards, clothes and water bottles are among items collected, put into barrels and loaded on a truck.

Touray, who led six total trips to West Africa, asked Smith to help him pack a few years ago, including deflating the balls to maximize space. Touray brought Smith along to help unload the items this summer for distribution.

He learned that natives of Gambia don’t focus on what they don’t have. Outsiders were met with warmth and respect.

“Everybody there was very genuine and welcoming,” Smith said. “The hospitality was above and beyond. Everyone you meet, ‘Welcome to the Gambia. They call it the Smiling Coast. Everyone there is happy. In the Gambia, everyone was very close.

"It’s like one big family. If one family is eating, they invite everyone to join. They are all in it together.”

Smith listed showers, air conditioning, transportations, whether bus or personal vehicle, running water, roads, traffic lights, restaurants, employment, factories among things expected in the U.S., but unavailable elsewhere.

“People walk places,” he said. “It’s a far walk. We have things that are gimmies for us that they don’t have. The Gambia opened my eyes to that.”

Smith couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw how many children lined up in anticipation of receiving their own equipment to keep.

“Seeing the smiles on these kids’ faces, getting to meet these kids and play soccer with them and see the genuine happiness,” he said. “For kids in these villages, distribution day is like Christmas morning.

“These kids are in line from all the villages. ‘Soccer Gear For Gambia is today.’ They’re lined up and they’re ready. I feel beyond blessed to participate and be there and see their faces. I’m blessed to be in the position I am and to go make a difference in something like this makes me feel blessed I can help.”

Children all over the country can always be found playing soccer throughout the day.

“This is the sport they play there,” Smith said. “They don’t have access to the equipment we do here. Not just gear; some kids get cleats and that’s what they wear every day to school. Some kids get shirts and wear them every day.”

A water bottle is almost sacred. Each person who uses it recognizes they are fortunate for each drink.

“They don’t have that stuff there,” Smith said. “Sandals. A lot of them are barefoot. This kid might bring this bottle back to his family – they don’t have a water bottle – and he shares it with his siblings. Here, we lose it. There, they utilize it.

"It goes a long way.”

Smith, who won an individual championship as 113 pounds as Ross won a team wrestling championship in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference when Smith was a sophomore in 2017, played soccer growing up and can still be found playing at the family facility.

“It’s very different than it is here; it’s on dirt,” he said. “Hard ground. It’s not turf or grass, like America. The ball rolls very fast on the dirt. All through the villages you see set-ups. Two sticks, maybe a string tied across for a goal.

“They play this game with heart and passion, something like I’ve never seen before.”

Of course, Soccer Gear For Gambia doesn’t have enough equipment for everybody. The children seem to look at the big picture, grateful for any additions.

“We make a big difference, it’s beautiful,” Smith said. “Eventually, we run out. We only have so many barrels and there’s more kids than we have gear.”

Soccer Gear For Gambia brought a few things the recipients had never imagined existed.

“A miniature basketball hoop and a foosball table,” Smith said. “All the kids huddled around the table. We brought one to a village. The kids meet and play with these things we take for granted here.”

Communication was not a challenge, most people at least had a grasp of English. Many natives spoke Wolof, among six or seven languages total.

Most often, there was no need to speak. Smith could read the raw emotions of children with big hearts in their eyes.

The children's faces weren't the only ones that told a story. Smith, who returns to the Gambia next summer, wore an overjoyed smile the entire trip to West Africa.

“This is important to me because this is something I’m capable of making a difference and being able to participate in something like this brings me joy and happiness,” he said. “It makes a big difference, for a good cause.”

mhorn@gannett.com

419-307-4892

X: @MatthewHornNH

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Soccer Gear For Gambia helps children in need