Kei Kamara Named MLS Humanitarian of the Month for September
September 23, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Kansas City forward Kei Kamara has been named Major League Soccer's Humanitarian of the Month for September, the League announced Wednesday. Kamara has excelled both on and off the field for Kansas City in 2010, recording career highs in both goals and assists while also giving back to his community in a variety of philanthropic endeavors.
Kamara emigrated to the United States in 2000 as a teenager and his experience as a refugee from his native Sierra Leone has inspired him to seek out opportunities for involvement in his community. Last month, he helped support a Lawrence High School student's drive to collect new and gently used soccer equipment to send to Sierra Leone. Kamara helped promote the event on his Twitter account, in addition to personally donating items and attending the event to sign autographs and interact with those who dropped off belongings.
"He called me on the phone...and when I found out it was him, I was a little bit speechless," said Laurel Nagengast, the student who coordinated the collection. "He was telling me things like, 'I can't wait to meet you,' and 'God bless,' and I was like, wow, I can't believe this."
"She never even asked me to be part of it," Kamara told MLSsoccer.com. "I just read what she was doing and knew I wanted to get involved. When I called, I assumed it would be a teacher at the school I was contacting, I had no idea it was someone even younger than myself."
Kamara continues to be involved with MLS W.O.R.K.S., the League's community outreach initiative, as well as the United Nations Foundation's Nothing But Nets campaign to raise awareness and funding to combat malaria.
Last month, the Wizards welcomed 25 local refugee children to a team training session and Kamara took the lead in welcoming the youth from various countries across the globe, including Burma, Somalia, Iraq and Sierra Leone. Kamara talked to the children about his experience and his transition to life in America, and also signed autographs, took pictures and played soccer with the local youth.
"Soccer served as a universal language for us," said Kamara. "Even though I didn't speak the same language as many of them, we could just play and communicate on the field."
Kamara, who recently appeared for the Sierra Leone National Team in an important African Cup of Nations qualifier against defending continental champions Egypt, is actively pursuing the opportunity to establish a foundation to aid his homeland and the people in Sierra Leone. He visits frequently and still has many family members there.
"Ideally, I would like to do something scholarship based," Kamara said. "Many young kids do not continue their education after primary school because their parents cannot afford to send them. I've been blessed with the opportunity to play soccer and obtain an education. I want to take the blessings I've been given and help others obtain their dreams, whatever they may be."
Kamara recently had his first opportunity to aid educational efforts in Sierra Leone as part of a scholarship donation for the Top 10 performing students from the primary school he attended. The children who received the scholarships were selected based on scores from performance tests and their attendance records.
Not only does Kamara focus on giving back to the children of Sierra Leone, but he is also active within the Kansas City community to give back and help make a difference.
"We [athletes] have a good amount of free time when we're not traveling or practicing," Kamara said. "A lot of us think about how we can utilize our time and give back. I take that very seriously and I'm proud to contribute. I'm honored to be recognized, but I just do it to do it, not for the acknowledgement."
Kamara will attend a local refugee soccer tournament on Friday, sponsored by the Don Bosco's Youth Center. The "Fall Futbol Extravaganza" will begin at 2 p.m. at the Don Bosco ESL Center at 526 Campbell Street in Kansas City, Missouri. It is a free tournament that aims to get refugees more involved in the community and extracurricular activities, and the event will also include an informational fair for refugee students and parents.
Kamara is Kansas City's leading scorer with ten goals this season, which is tied for fifth most in Major League Soccer in 2010.
Please note: The Kansas City Wizards next match is Saturday, September 25th at 7:00 p.m. CT against FC Dallas at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Tickets can be purchased by visiting KCWizards.com or by calling 888-4KC-GOAL. The Wizards are also now accepting initial payments for season tickets for the 2011 season, highlighted by the debut of Chivas Guadalajara star and Mexico international Omar Bravo, and the opening of Kansas City's state-of-the-art soccer stadium next summer.
Major League Soccer Stories from September 23, 2010
- Paul G. Allen Announces New Seahawks, Sounders FC, First & Goal President - Seattle Sounders FC
- Playoff Push Ticket Package Available for Wizards Final Three Home Games of 2010 Regular Season - Sporting Kansas City
- Game Notes - Sounders FC at Chicago Fire - Seattle Sounders FC
- Kei Kamara Named MLS Humanitarian of the Month for September - Sporting Kansas City
- Philadelphia Union's Cristian Arrieta Called up to Puerto Rican National Team - Philadelphia Union
- Chicago Fire - San Jose Earthquakes Match to Air on Cltv and Comcast SportsNet Chicago Plus - Chicago Fire FC
- Earthquakes September 29 Game Against Chicago Fire Will Now Air on Comcast SportsNet California - San Jose Earthquakes
- Wolff Scores in 96th Minute to Complete Dramatic Comeback in Wizards 4-3 Win Over Houston - Sporting Kansas City
- RSL Tops Arabe - Real Salt Lake
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