Mathew Crichton is a Peace Corps Volunteer serving in Aguelmouss. His background is in design and business, but his true passion is film. He designed and ran the first and only nomadic movie theatre in Papua New Guinea and has lived, studied, and worked overseas for 4 years so far and he’d like to make it 30 before he's done.
Jan Sojka is a first year PCV from Los Angeles and serving in a small village near Azrou. She previously served with AmeriCorps which sparked a passion for social justice issues. Her current Peace Corps service has provided many opportunities in relation to female empowerment. The development and growth of the young women in Oued Ifrane is important to her, and she is excited to continue building relationships and participating in activities with them.
Jan Sojka is a first year PCV from Los Angeles and serving in a small village near Azrou. She previously served with AmeriCorps which sparked a passion for social justice issues. Her current Peace Corps service has provided many opportunities in relation to female empowerment. The development and growth of the young women in Oued Ifrane is important to her, and she is excited to continue building relationships and participating in activities with them.
An All-Girls Soccer Team in Morocco (Video)
“We love football!” is the cheer heard from a group of smiling high school-aged Moroccan girls dressed in uniform on the practice field. After an afternoon of playing and training, what more is there to be said?
When PCV and Multimedia Committee member Mathew Crichton caught wind of the all-girls’ soccer team fellow PCV Jan Sojka was working with last school year, he knew he wanted to make a short video about them. “When one thinks about sports in Morocco, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn't an all-girls soccer team from Oued Ifrane. But for these girls and Jan, the Peace Corps Volunteer serving there, it [has been] a major part of their lives. Hearing their thoughts on why they play soccer, why others should, and what it means for girls all over Morocco is a message worth sharing.”
“We love football!” is the cheer heard from a group of smiling high school-aged Moroccan girls dressed in uniform on the practice field. After an afternoon of playing and training, what more is there to be said?
When PCV and Multimedia Committee member Mathew Crichton caught wind of the all-girls’ soccer team fellow PCV Jan Sojka was working with last school year, he knew he wanted to make a short video about them. “When one thinks about sports in Morocco, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn't an all-girls soccer team from Oued Ifrane. But for these girls and Jan, the Peace Corps Volunteer serving there, it [has been] a major part of their lives. Hearing their thoughts on why they play soccer, why others should, and what it means for girls all over Morocco is a message worth sharing.”
The video offers a chance to meet the girls on the team as well as hear encouraging words from community members who support them. “I want them to give it their all and do their best,” says one young man in the film.
What can we learn from Moroccan girls playing soccer? According to Jan, simply “that it exists!” This basic fact can itself inspire girls in villages and cities throughout Morocco to organize themselves and play soccer in order to to build their confidence, develop skills in teamwork and collaboration, exercise, and to simply feel free to have fun.
Watch the video about Oued Ifrane’s all-girls soccer team on Mathew’s YouTube channel here, and be sure to share the message with your community. Girls play soccer, too.
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Posted by Katie Bercegeay
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