Business Students Raise Funds For Children In Afghanistan

In a town thousands of miles away, a former Desert Hills student now in the military is working to bring the sport of soccer to children in Afghanistan, and the Desert Hills FBLA chapter is raising money to make this project a reality.

Becky Almeida, a 2004 DHHS graduate, has been serving with the U.S. Army for three years, and is currently stationed with her husband outside of Kabul, Afghanistan.

"We are working out of Bagram Air Field, which is the main American base," she writes. "While working at one of the hospital gates, my husband saw the conditions the kids were playing in and noticed that they could use some help with their soccer field."

The couple is now working to raise money to buy soccer balls and other equipment for the children in an area adjacent to Bagram Field.

"I have met some amazing Afghanis," writes Almeida. "One elder almost brought me to tears when he thanked me for being here and said it’s because of us that the Taliban have left his village."

"Also, the children here are so smart," she writes. "A lot of them speak English nearly fluently and can read and write in four languages. Needless to say, I’d love to get this project together and at least give these kids something as simple as a decent soccer field."

To make this project happen, the DHHS Future Business Leaders of America chapter recently coordinated a school fundraiser in order to pay for the soccer equipment, in conjunction with Soccer Shack and Sports in Gilbert.

"Working with a former student on this project really helps to personalize the struggle in Afghanistan for our current students," says FBLA advisor Jaci Jones. "It’s important for the teenagers in our country to realize what’s going on over there, and to have a chance to be involved in a effort like this is invaluable."

For more information on this project, contact the Desert Hills school office at 480-813-1151.