Sports Save Lives

We received the news that Mauricio Funes, President of El Salvador, will begin a draft into the military for kids ages 16+ that are at risk of falling into gangs. He will begin this program looking for 5000 recruits in 25 counties that are most effected by gangs.

I’m concerned that we are falling back into the days when the army would stop buses and pull “strong looking boys” off the buses and send them off to the military barracks (“you are in the army now”)....without even contacting their families.

What set of criteria will they use? What constitutes a potential gang member? Someone with a tattoo or a piercing? A kid who is just hanging out on a corner?

When will this "solution" spread to places like Guarjila? How many of our kids will be taken away as they will be judged to be a potential public safety problem? (I’m sure a few of my hockey players could be judged by authorities to be a threat to society)

This news motivates me more to create the new Tamarindo Center where we will engage kids 24 hours a day if necessary. Sport can change a life!

As all this news comes in, our “kids” continue to prepare for a series of hockey exhibitions in San Salvador and a date with the Guatemalan National Inline hockey team. (Margaret Miller and the students at St. Francis have been so generous, helping us get new skates for our players).

What we do may seem small and insignificant, but sports are a powerful tool. I know that it can pull kids off the street at night. I know it can keep them away from a joint, a bottle, or a needle. I know it can motivate kids to aspire to greater things. I know it can make a kid that hates himself find self worth.

So when it’s night time in Guarjila and the authorities are in search of new recruits, let them follow our kids to the Tamarindo. Let them see what can be done. Let them know that kids at risk have an alternative to a military barracks, a penitentiary or the cemetery.

Please pray with me today for these kids in El Salvador (the one’s that look good, and the one’s with tattoos), and let’s pray for the resources to build a new Tamarindo Center. These kids need us.

With great thanks,

jg