Kids and Teens Sports Program

Mayan Families Kids and Teens Sports Club 

Mayan Families Kids & Teens Sports Program provides free sports equipment and used uniforms to public schools for vulnerable and poverty stricken children and at risk youth in Guatemala. The schools that we work with have little or no access to proper sports equipment, and their programs are unable to provide children with a healthy after school activity without some extra support.  We believe that sports can play an important role in a child's development, and that is essential for kids to do something constructive with their time, rather than falling victim to the temptations risky behavior.

This is a positive and healthy alternative to just hanging out on the streets after school. 
Mayan Families Kids & Teens Sports Club helps promote good character and moral values in the children we serve.
We strive to show them positive alternatives to drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence.

The program includes Soccer, Basketball, Baseball and general school ball games for boys and girls. Recreation is critical to improve self esteem, learn to play by the rules, work within a team structure possibly for the first time in their lives, improve physical fitness and reduce the stresses of crushing poverty. They get to play, laugh and smile!
The program exists to bring joy and fun to children within their school setting.

A personal letter from Sharon Smart, Executive Director:

Hi!

This program helps schools keep and maintain sporting equipment and used uniforms all year round.  The school in San Jorge has just a few ruined and deformed old balls, they are not even round to play. With your help we can help thousands of school children enjoy sports!

I was reminded of how important sport uniforms are when i was at Chuk Muk school and the basketball team had not been able to participate in the finals because they did not have uniforms.  They were in second place and stood a good chance to win but because they didn't have the uniforms they had to drop out.

Any donation of uniforms, cleats, socks, balls is welcomed, and would make a huge difference for the kids of Chuk Muk and dozens of others like them. If you or anyone you know has any contacts with sports groups who you think may want to help kids in Guatemala have the chance to play sports at their schools, please ask them to join our efforts.

If you would like to make a donation to the Kids & Teens Sports Club please click http://www.mayanfamilies.org/DonateOnline

Play ball!!!

Sharon Smart-Poage