One World Lacrosse Reaches OutBy RMLC on Monday, May 10th, 2010

One World Lacrosse Reaches Out

Baltimore, Maryland (May 5, 2010) — One World Lacrosse has launched as a new non-profit organization with the mission to provide underprivileged youth in impoverished countries a chance to improve their overall well-being though our nations oldest sport—lacrosse.  Unlike other non-profit lacrosse foundations that strictly work within the United States, One World Lacrosse aims to go beyond by implementing the game of Lacrosse to destitute areas around the world. In doing so, One World Lacrosse will provide youth with equipment that will allow the children to explore the vast array of athletic potential hidden beneath the impecunious burden that stain their daily lives. One World Lacrosse will visit less fortunate communities not only as leaders of the game, but as learners wishing to absorb another countries culture.

One of One World Lacrosse’s primary goals is to formulate relationships within the visited impoverished communities to create an ever lasting positive change by teaching the game of lacrosse to young children. The specialized coaching methods, along with the donated equipment, is what truly makes One World Lacrosse one of a kind.

One World Lacrosse will be comprised of past college lacrosse players from all around the United States. Having such an extensive group of volunteers will allow One World Lacrosse to utilize a diverse sense of knowledge towards coaching the in-depth aspects of the game to the youth in ways that are easily understood even with cultural barriers. To best teach the game of lacrosse, the differences between cultures must be both understood and acknowledged to operate the program effectively.

The concept of One World Lacrosse was ignited when the founders visited the township of the Imizamo Yethu located in Hout Bay, South Africa in November 2009. Based on the 2001 South Africa Census, South Africa has more than 4.7 million or 24.5% of South Africans (one in four adults) diagnosed as being HIV positive and accounts for the highest HIV incidence worldwide. Imizamo Yethu is home to approximately 18,000 people. Amongst the Yethu Township, 77% of the people in the area make less than 800 Rand a month. In America, this is equal to trying to feed and clothe a family, making less than $3.50 US dollars a day. During that evening, the founders found joy, optimism and hope in the eyes of the children living in Imizamo Yethu. Shortly after, the founders arranged for a second visit, but this time brought a piece of their culture—the game of lacrosse— to the children in residence. The reactions were both astonishing and uplifting; they were thrilled to learn an unfamiliar, challenging game, Thus, the idea of One World Lacrosse was both sparked and initiated.

Since their visit to South Africa , One World Lacrosse is currently taking donations to travel to South America in the summer of 2010. For more information regarding One World Lacrosse please contact Kevin Gallagher at (720) 933-6610, or visit them on the web at www.oneworldlacrosse.org. Kevin Gallagher is an alum from the University of Northern Colorado Men’s Lacrosse team graduating in 2009.