Om Kee Hata Memorial Fund

Our beloved Global FC youth Om Kee Hata passed away on Friday, July 6th, 2018 while swimming at Hillsdale lake in Kansas. 

We are looking to raise funds to cover his funeral and burial expenses, including financial assistance to support his mother during this time. Om Kee lived with a single mother and four younger siblings.

His Story:

Om Kee was born in Burma and resettled in America with his family in June of 2017 due to religious persecution. He was a 17-year-old boy living in a country not his own, navigating a culture and language foreign to him. Growing up in poverty taught him gratitude and humility that spilled into everything he did.

Om Kee took on the role of father-figure because he had to. The responsibilities and burdens he was faced were beyond his years. He was working at the Northeast KC Chamber of Commerce this summer to help support his family who only a month ago were forced out of an apartment complex that decided to upgrade.

He was persistent that his mother never buy him anything because of their immediate necessities. He was a child forced to grow up too fast. 

He is like many refugee youth, caught up in a web of conflicting cultures, worldviews and expectations. Like so many displaced children forced to take on adult roles and adults forced to rely on their kids as if reverting back to being children. 

Yet in all his circumstances, Om Kee walked on the soccer field with a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunity to play. Soccer was the only true outlet where he could just be a kid, playing the sport he was most passionate about.  His maturity, kindness, gracious spirit and genuine smile were inspiring. He would always repeat, "Thank you coach".

His two younger brothers, Om Naing and Om Gai also play for Global FC teams. Having this family come into our Global FC Community has been a tremendous blessing. His character and example are powerful reminders of why we do what we do, firmly rooting our cause. 

He has forever left a mark in our Global FC community.

No matter his circumstances, he would always say, "God will provide". He fought for the simple things in life. He stood strong in the promises of God and had a powerful and unwavering Christian faith. His family was persecuted and displaced for this very reason.  It is this faith that his family now clings to for peace and understanding. 

Please pray for his family during this difficult time. We ask that you help us achieve our financial goal to support his family. 

Om Kee,  we will miss you more than words can say......

Mariya D Goodbrake
Executive Director
Global FC