43% complete
$7,500 Goal
Negus Kloehn passed away on April 28, 2020 in Edwards Colorado due to complications with Epilepsy. He was a gifted athlete and loved soccer tremendously. Negus and his sister Elilta were adopted at a young age from Gambella, Ethiopia. They came from a very humble background, and one of the things they found pure joy in was soccer. It was in Gambella that Negus started learning the mechanics of the body - how to pass, score, trap, etc. all the while developing his exceptional footwork. People would watch Negus on the field and say he was the next Pele!
The children in Ethiopia made balls out of plastic bags and string since they lacked real soccer balls. They also did not have soccer nets and they marked boundaries with stones. They didn’t allow the lack of resources to stop them.
Negus’ dream early on was to become a professional soccer player and provide nets to children of Africa. He thought that by providing nets, children would have more time to play rather than chase balls. Even two weeks before he died, he was having a conversation with his mom. She had said “ Negus, you are so great at so many sports and so funny and kind, I really wonder what you will do with your life!” Negus responded, “I told you my plan, the nets for children of Africa!”
Negus' short, yet impactful life has been documented in a book about him entitled, "Do Your Best" by Patricia Kloehn, available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and others.
This year, 2023, we have donated soccer nets, balls, uniforms, cleats and equipment to eleven organizations across the continent of Africa. Locations include Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia and Congo.
The following organizations have received donations in 2023:
Akosombo United Football Club - Ghana
Angel Stars Football Club - Ghana
Care Sport Foundation - Zambia
College Alfajari - Congo
EMS Children's School JOS - Nigeria
First Lane Volunteers - Kenya
Hope Soccer & Foster Care - Kenya
Kicking for Green - Ghana
Kids for Africa Sports Academy - Uganda
Murray Foundation - Kenya
The impact we have had on these organizations have been phenomenal. To gain a perspective please see below:
"Our organization takes kids from the streets and put them into camps to play soccer. They are between 14 to 19 years old. Essentially what we are doing is showing these kids how to potentially pursue soccer as a living and prevent them from entering the streets." - Christopher Sekum, Coach
At Save the Ball, Soccer for Africa, Inc., our mission is simple: to ensure that every child can experience the joy of soccer.
We provide soccer balls, nets, uniforms, and gear to underprivileged communities throughout Africa, where children often play with makeshift balls crafted from plastic bags and string. We believe that every child deserves more—a real chance to play and thrive.
The Legacy of Negus Kloehn
Our organization was born out of the dream of Negus Kloehn, a young Ethiopian boy who was adopted into the U.S. and fell in love with soccer. Before his untimely passing in 2020, at the age of fourteen, Negus envisioned giving children in Africa access to proper soccer equipment, so they wouldn’t have to chase after balls but could instead focus on enjoying the game.
Negus' dream lives on in our mission, and through your support, we can fulfill his promise to bring hope, joy, and confidence to children across the continent. Soccer is more than just a game for these children—it is a pathway to building life skills, fostering teamwork, and overcoming the harsh realities they face daily.
His goal was to become a professional soccer player and give back to Africa so kids could have hope for a better future.
Organization name
Save the Ball Soccer for Africa, Inc.
2021
Tax id (EIN)
85-3119037
Category
Recreation & Sports, Community Improvement & Capacity Building, Public & Societal Benefit
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
2636 Fenno DrNairobi, Nairobi County, KE
Uganda, NG, NG, 923104
Chilubi, Northern Province, ZM
Congo, Basse-Kotto, CF
GH