Grazing the Corners: January 2007

Hi Vik. Thanks for the Christmas card. Good luck with your soccer program. Is there any way we can help you with supplies? Katherine's teacher, Meg Nelson, asked if she could view your blog. Don't know if she wants the kids to communicate. What do you think? Katherine brought pictures of you in Samoa to school to share with her class and the teacher was very excited you had a blog. Everything is going well here. Grandmom got three teeth pulled yesterday, but she is doing great. John has been accepted to every school he applied to. Yesterday he received notice that he got a substantial scholarship to St. Joe's. He is not really interested in the school at this point, but his Dad is!!!!!!! Anna continues to swim like a champ and Katherine is riding horses and writing books. We love you and miss you. Aunt Rosie

SOCCER PROGRAM for the TAMAITI

Before Christmas, just after school break, i set up a week long soccer camp for the year 5-8 kids. We got together in the evening when chores were done and it wasn't so hot, and do some drills until the attention spans were gone and then scrimmaged. Huge success!

So, I've sent over a letter to the Samoan Soccer Federation and FIFA asking for support, equipment and logistics. Hopefully a mini league can be set up between some villages close by, and I'll keep up with the camps now that school is starting up again.

I'm really excited, not only about playing, but also to offer the kids a constructive way to spend time, work on teamwork, and leadership skills. Just need some balls, nets, and kids!!

Team "kick it as hard as I can!"

Check out the goals.

Probably on the same team!! HA

NEW YEARS PHOTO'S
Some pictures from a gathering of fellow volunteers at Falealupo, Savai'i for New Years. This is one of the most westery points in the world and in turn the last to be living in the year 2006.