Community Corner
Amanda Cardona Scores for Soccer Without Borders
Livingston grad chosen to travel to Granada to encourage girls on and off the field.
After playing soccer in Livingston for most of her life, Amanda Cardona scored the opportunity of a lifetime when she was accepted into the international non-profit volunteer program, Soccer Without Borders.
On T.E.A.M. Granada, she’ll be part of a group that “aims to provide opportunities for girls to play soccer, meet and interact with peers, and enjoy the benefits associated with team sports.”
Girls in the program set and work toward relevant and achievable goals on and off the field. "The idea is to become a role model for the participants and, hopefully, allow them to realize just how much they can achieve," Amanda said.
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A 2008 LHS grad currently studying Social Work at Marist College, Amanda became involved with Soccer Without Borders through a teammate on the college’s Women’s Soccer Team.
Mary McVeigh, Executive Director of SWB, explained that Amanda was chosen as one of 13 current college students and seven recent graduates who are scheduled to take part in the Spring Infusion, a week-long initiative to support SWB’s year-round program in Granada.
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It's a commonly held cultural perspective in Granada that sports are only for males with few opportunities and even fewer resources existing for girls to play, according to the SWB. Without role models, encouraging coaches, parents, or proper equipment, most girls lose interest in sports at a time in their development when the physical, mental, and social benefits would be most beneficial.
Although the details of her stay are not yet known, Amanda expects to be in Granada from May 14-May 22. While there, she’ll be staying with a family in the community since many past volunteers have commented that “the friendships formed with the host families is one of the highlights of the volunteer experience.”
As it is a volunteer program, all costs are the responsibility of the volunteer, although SWB does arrange for local prices on housing and food.
“We’re so proud of her," said Amanda’s mom, Jenny. “This is her life’s dream: To help people. This is just who she is.”
For more information on Soccer Without Borders, check out the website www.soccerwithoutborders.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/soccerwithoutborders.
