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"When we (sent uniforms) to South Sudan, there was some video footage that came back and it was just these kids playing in the middle of what looks like a National Geographic photo shoot, but they're playing in these bright pink soccer uniforms from Whitby Iroquois Soccer Club, and they're just having the time of their lives," said Mr. Williamson. Afrisoccer was launched two years ago following a conversation he had with a friend who was involved in humanitarian work overseas. Upon hearing they had taken soccer jerseys over to kids in South Sudan while doing a project there once, Mr. Williamson said he was inspired to help out. "For one thing, it's just wasteful that all these soccer uniforms are jammed into closets and drawers here in Canada when you find out how valuable they are overseas," he explained. "And obviously these kids, they don't have a lot so if we can give them that gift of sport and play, it's a great feeling." Along with the Whitby soccer club, Afrisoccer is working with the Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club and the Pickering Soccer Club, whose members recycle uniforms for the cause. Last month, 17 sets of Oshawa uniforms were sent to Malawi. Other countries the uniforms have travelled to include Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Guyana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Laos, and Cambodia. "We send them on an adventure; most of these kids (donating uniforms) will never get to see the places that their soccer uniforms get to see," said Mr. Williamson. Alyssa, who contributed the very first soccer uniform to Afrisoccer's mission in 2013, helps her father by sorting through all the items that arrive and making sure they're organized. "It's also a good learning experience for her every time she sees where the uniforms are sent -- it's quite the geography lesson," he laughed. Travelling partners and receiving communities don't pay a cent for the uniforms but Mr. Williamson asks that they send back pictures, videos, and stories about where the shipments end up. Seeing the smiles on the faces of youths playing soccer in their bare feet while glowing with pride in their new uniforms makes the effort that goes into rounding them up worthwhile, he said. "For example, if they're going to Haiti, they'll send us pictures to let us know what school is like there, and often we'll find out the school basically doesn't have running water currently but they've got these expensive new soccer uniforms." Coaches, parents, and players interested in donating their team uniforms to Afrisoccer can drop off washed uniforms at one of the three soccer clubs the groups works with. Mr. Williamson can be contacted by e-mail at shawn@ wwwilliamson.com or visit www.facebook.com/afrisoccer to learn more about the organization. durhamregion.com The Citizen August 20, 2015 7 Brooklin man helps uniform kids all over the world From page 1 BROOKLIN -- Alyssa Williamson, 11, co-founder of Afrisoccer, held up one of the Oshawa Kicks Soccer Club uniforms that the organization recently sent to kids overseas. Submitted photo