Love for Kenya Women's Lacrosse

Love for Kenya Women's Lacrosse

During the U19 Women’s Lacrosse World Championship, I, along with the rest of team Puerto Rico, were lucky to spend time with the girls from Kenya Lacrosse, we were able to witness how this sport is changing their lives.  Under the life-saving guidance and encouragement of Storm Trentham, founder and head coach of Kenya Lacrosse, these girls were able to make history as the first female African lacrosse team to participate in international competition while paving the way to hopefully participate in future Olympic Games.  They soon became ‘the darlings’ of the World Championships, due to their love and passion for life off the field and their impressive skills on the field.  Many of these athletes come from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds, some going without three meals a day.  Not one of them is able to pay for any aspect of playing lacrosse.  Some can’t even afford the $1.60 transport to training sessions.  All of these expenses are covered by Kenya Lacrosse, including some of their school and hospital fees that regularly arise.

    Now, imagine them training and preparing to represent their country in the most important international competition for their sport.  When it’s time to  pack their bags for Canada, some do not even own five pairs of socks, five pairs of underwear, pajamas or even a towel, all of which are on the packing list provided by the coach.  Kenya Lacrosse provided the girls with toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower gel, sanitary products and practically every other item in their bags.  

  With their joy, beautiful smiles, amazing dance moves and positive attitudes, the queens from Kenya Lacrosse touched my heart along with many others at the World Championships and thousands more around the world.  Social media can testify for that when 2.3 million watched their “cleats project” video on House of Highlights.   I came home an the only thing on my mind was, “How can I help these girls?” 
I strongly believe that they deserve the chance to see the world, the  opportunity to improve their skills and understand that there is more out there in store for them.

   I have decided to personally host one player for two months in the summer of 2020 and have her join our club for the season, playing games, going to tournaments and experiencing an American summer.  
I contacted Coach Storm and she was super excited with the idea, knowing that this will only enrich their lives even more than Canada did.  Our new goal is to bring 5 players from Kenya Lacrosse to the USA, like the famous The Big Five wildlife of Africa, to join local clubs for the season.  We have already had the Desert Heat Lacrosse from Arizona and Rebels Lacrosse from Baltimore who have immediately showed interest in our dream.  Do you or your club want to get involved with our project and help change the lives of the 5 Kenyan athletes?  I have no doubt, the lives of the players and parents within the clubs will also be enriched by this whole experience.  
 
  This is how you can help us achieve our mission.  We need to raise $3,000 per athlete to cover round trip flights from Kenya, travel visas, insurance etc.  We are partnering with The Pink Empowered Foundation, a registered 501-C3 non-profit organization therefore, your contribution will be tax deductible in the USA.  
 
  Please help us do more for these young ladies, we will be giving them an opportunity of a lifetime.  Not only they can improve their game, they will also develop the life skills needed to grow the sport throughout Kenya and expand future opportunities for the next generation of players. 
 
 No donation is too small.  Together we have the power to change the lives of those less fortunate, it doesn’t get more humbling and exciting than that.

Thank you,
Astrid Corretjer
Mother of Karina Velez-Corretjer, Player for Puerto Rico Lacrosse