Fairfield, CT; On Saturday, March 31 and Sunday April 1, 2007 Sacred Heart University was the site of a major indoor 8 V 8 soccer tournament for men and women hosted by Haiti Lumiere de Demain, Inc. (HLD), a non-profit, non-governmental education organization headquartered in Bridgeport, CT. The organization works in partnership with Haitian school in rural and impoverished communities in Haiti to help eradicate illiteracy among children.
Haiti Lumiere de Demain hosted its annual Kick for Kids Soccer Tournament at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT. to raise funds to support the organization’s programs on the island of La Gonave one of the more rural and impoverished parts of Haiti and the site of the organization’s successful programs.
The Women’s Tournament took place on Saturday, March 31, 2007 it brought teams traveling from Rowayton to Southington to Farmington. Tom Thumb Florists of Bridgeport donated 12 bouquets of flowers to honor the Rowayton Women’s Soccer Team Lumiere “We kicked for Kids” in commemoration of Women’s history month and for their unconditional support of the work of HLD to help children achieve basic human rights through education. Following the women’s tournament on Saturday, Fazenda MAE de Ouro: the Authentic Brazilian Cachaca hosted a cocktail reception for the palyers and HLD’s founder and president, Louis Elneus in honor of his birthday.
The Men’s Tournament to place Sunday, April 1 and brought teams from Brooklyn, NY, Stamford, Waterbury and Fairfield.
Due to the generosity of so many including Billy’s Bakery, Fairfield who donated pastries, Dr. Richard Witzig who donated copies of his book “The Global Art of Soccer” and Sacred Heart University which provided the facility to host the tournament free of charge and Sempra Trading of Stamford, which sponsored a team with a $500 donation, the tournaments raised over $3400 for improving literacy and education in Haiti. HLD would like to extend its gratitude to all who participated. Check out pictures from this event on yahoo photos, http://new.photos.yahoo.com/haitilight/
The organization accepts donation on in on going basis and has copies of Dr. Witzig book for sale at the organization’s office and at Soccer Post-Fairfield and at Soccer Rugby-Westport.
For more information about HLD, or ways you can get involved contact us at 203-612-7860 or hld@haitilumiere.org.