Current Status

Ankoon Academy has been operating since early 2020.  While we just recently became an official organization, our founders have been working with trusted individuals in the community of Monrovia to host a soccer league for our own team and local clubs.  

The league typically lasts around one to two months and has a tournament at the end of the league.  The winners, as well as select individuals (MVP, highest goal scorer, etc.) are given prizes such as trophies, soccer balls, and other gear.  

Our last session had approximately 650 applicants; we were only able to accept 224 kids (16 teams of 14).  The kids are currently playing in Logantown, Bushrod Island, Liberia on a mud field with sticks as goals.  They do not have real soccer gear like cleats and shin guards.  

Many of these children do not have parents because they were lost during the second civil war, which officially ended in August of 2003.  The ones that do have parents do not have much supervision, as their parents have to work (or search for work) day and night just to get enough money for food for the day.  This results in many children skipping school and getting involved in street life; this can include anything from stealing to smoking opium and other drugs.  Many parents have expressed gratitude to the members of our organization managing the operations over there, thanking them for keeping their kids out of the streets and focused on healthy activities such as sport and academics.  

Our team members in Liberia are extremely respected individuals in the community, who have already been involved in other community-building programs.  We have been working with the Liberian Football Association, and have been contacted by members of the Liberian government, all of whom support our cause.