Welcome to Project Play!

While living in Niger, West Africa, as a Peace Corps volunteer from July 1983 to September 1985, Michael Mitchell became interested in the youth of the country and the way they spend their leisure time. Their high level of enthusiasm for soccer in contrast to the low level of their actual participation in the game convinced him of the importance to involve them more actively in the sport. That is the origin of the Project Play, Global Understanding Through Sports (GUTS).

Adventure Retreat Hopes to Win the Game for Social Change in the Republic of Niger

lha Grande, Brazil - Body & Soul Adventures, a Brazilian adventure retreat, plans to make changes in the struggling African nation of Niger one soccer ball at a time. The wellness program will launch Project Play Niger in 2008 to raise money for soccer equipment and attention to the dire social situation of the country.

Niger currently has three million people on the verge of starvation," said Michael, founder of Body & Soul Adventures. "Our purpose is to utilize a soccer project for constructive social purposes and help draw more attention to the needs of the Republic of Niger by working along side the government and the Peace Corps Volunteers. "

The adventure retreat plans to raise money to purchase 2,000 soccer balls to send to the developing country. The Niger government and the American Peace Corps have agreed to work with Body & Soul Adventures in support of the program, providing internal air and ground transport and accommodations, as well as the distribution of the equipment.

Mitchell devised the idea for Project Play Niger in his physical education master's thesis at California State University, Chico. Based on his experience coaching and playing soccer while serving in the Peace Corps in Niger from 1983 to 1985, the charitable program stresses the unique ability of sports to enhance and improve the quality of life in economically deprived countries.

In 1983, Mitchell made friends with Nigerian children by taking 15 soccer balls in his luggage when he went to Niger to play for L'Equipe Espoir (Team Hope) in the town of Zinder. The team went on to win the 1984 Niger National Championship in 1984, marking the first time the team won the competition and providing Mitchell with a dream of returning to the country in the future with 2,000 balls.

"Team sports stimulate students' interest in school and advance their social skills," said Mitchell. "They also promote community cooperation among the adults involved in supervising the program. Project Play Niger is new, and our intention is to make it a model for similar projects in other African countries and elsewhere in the world."

More than 20 years after envisioning the potential of the soccer ball to help combat poverty, Mitchell has decided to coordinate this project through Body & Soul Adventures with the help of Dena McKelvey, Dave Stahl, Steve Haws and Jim Meicke. This team has more than 20 years combined travel experience in third world and developing countries and formed themselves as the driving force behind Project Play Niger.

Body & Soul Adventures is currently seeking sponsorships and donations for the project. The cost of the 2,000 soccer balls is $50,000 which includes transportation and administration costs. Contact Michael Mitchell at (800) 641-0176 or

michael@bodysouladventures.com for information on how you can help make this worthwhile project a reality .

The Chico Rooks along with Body and Soul Adventures will coordinate the Project Play Niger program. Dave Stahl, the chico rooks president and head coach, will join the contingent of volunteers traveling to Niger in February to implement the program. "This project is an excellent opportunity for our organization to get involved on an international level," said Stahl, "our mission statement is 'to enrich the lives of people through the discovery and enjoyment of the world's most popular sport, soccer. Project Play Niger is a perfect fit for us."

If you'd like more information about the Chico ROOKS or about their youth programs call the ROOKS Hotline at: (530) 343-ROOK (7665) or Contact Dave Stahl at www.chicorooks.com