Episode 24: Philip Manga & players from the Box2Box Organization

- Box2Box is a non-profit organization in Lexington Ky that strives to empower the youth to seek community through sport, to develop identity relevance and belonging. 

- The game of soccer opened up so many doors for Philip Manga in his life. When he came to the United States with his family from the Republic of Congo, he struggled to find his place in the community. 

- Manga was able to find a connection to his community through the game of soccer. 

- Even with an athletic scholarship to the University of Evansville, Manga struggled to keep up with the pace of the academics due to his Fluency in the English language. 

- Now Manga and the Box2Box organization strive to provide opportunity for refugee children in the Lexington area, not only in the game of soccer, but with building a community and having a safe place to work on homework after school. 

- Box2Box, much like the sport of soccer, is so much more than a game. It opens doors for children. 

- Sports offer so much for so many kids, especially those who are longing to connect in a new country. Why not look for ways to make youth sports MORE accessible for young children?

- Hear from some of the young gentlemen who are part of the Box2Box Tumaini Academy. They share some of their struggles and success along the way. 

- If you listen to this episode and can't see the beauty in the opportunity these young children are seeking and the avenue sports gives them to find it... Well, I'm not sure what else you need?