By Mukhtaar Mahdi Essa

London, September 29, 2007 (SL Times) - Not many kids in the world think about how they can change the lives of lesser ‘well to do’ kids living in the developing world.

But eleven year-old Zaki Osman Essa from Colindale, London is not like an ordinary kid. Born in UK, has never been to Somaliland before, the country of his origin. Zaki was told by his parents that he would be going to Somaliland this summer (July 2007). Zaki immediately started thinking about how he could make a difference in the lives of some of the Somaliland kids he was sure to meet when he goes to Somaliland for his summer holiday.

He thought of what boys, his age love to do and what would help them in Somaliland. The answer was simple and plain, boys love to play soccer. Since soccer is the national sport of Somaliland, boys mainly play soccer and love to play soccer anywhere they can find that has flat ground. Because, many Somaliland kids cannot afford proper team outfits and kits like football boots, or soccer balls they often end up playing with mismatched outfits, slippers, and worn out soccer balls, Zaki then decided to collect as much money as possible and buy a full kit for the kids and create a soccer team when in Somaliland.

From his pocket money savings, and with the help of his parents, friends and neighbours Zaki bought a complete set of a football team’s kit and uniform for the kids in Hargeysa.

"I am very excited to get involved in something that would help others,” said Zaki.

The help of his cousin, Mubarak, made making the team possible. All the kids who were initiated in Zaki’s new team came from the neighboured where Zaki was staying for holiday, called ‘Idaacada’ in Hargeysa. The kids play football every afternoon, after school, close by Zaki's house.

Zaki, on his first day arriving in Hargeysa quickly made friends with kids and played football with them and told them he wanted to give them an outfit so that they could become a proper team. The kids were over the moon at this, and couldn’t believe it that Zaki was serious.

On the day that he was passing out the uniforms, Zaki was so excited that he could not wait to get to the football ground. When he arrived, the members of his soccer team were lined up and anxious to be inaugurated into the team. As their names where called, they walked, one by one, up to Zaki, shook his hand and received their kit uniform. The children were smiling from ear to ear, and were extremely excited to receive their first football outfit ever. The team, in honour of Zaki’s generosity said that they will name themselves the ‘Zaki All Stars’ football team .

Not only were they thankful to Zaki, but the uniforms were also greatly appreciated and made a real difference in their soccer spirit and team comradeship.

All the Kids mentioned how thankful they were for receiving the uniforms and that other Diaspora Somaliland kids and adults should take Zaki as a good example.

To finish off the ceremony they played a fun and competitive game of soccer in ‘Xawaadle’ football ground against another team from a different neighbourhood and won the game 4 - 2. It was a big day for both Zaki and his new team.

Source: Somaliland Times