Whitinsville's own Ryan Meadows visits Ghana to help local students and adult learners ... and brings along his love of soccer to share.

Babson student assists the youth of Ghana through soccer Babson Undergraduate Dean Dennis Hanno and 45 students, faculty and staff spent their winter break in Ghana, teaching entrepreneurship and business skills to high school students and adult learners. This year they also taught basic microfinance to elementary school students.

Ryan Meadows, a senior at Babson College, found this trip to be a unique opportunity to share his love for soccer halfway across the globe.

Ryan grew up in Whitinsville, Massachusetts where he played for numerous soccer clubs within MAPLE. Using a lifetime soccer network, he was able to secure sponsors (see below) for donations of soccer balls. In total, Ryan was able to bring over 100 soccer balls with him to the Sekondi/Takoradi area of Ghana.

“With over 40 students teaching at 20 different schools throughout the trip, we were able to donate soccer balls to each school visited. In addition, soccer balls were provided to local youth and community soccer clubs. With the extreme levels of poverty in Ghana, these soccer balls were accepted with smiles from ear to ear. The youth leagues are extremely under developed and often virtually non-existent.”

Post-graduation Ryan will be working and living in Boston, MA, however, he plans to continue his support and work with youth soccer in Ghana. He is continually looking to partner with soccer clubs/organizations as well as churches and any other potential sponsor’s and investors. The overall goal is to create a league that fosters youth development in the areas of leadership, social awareness, education, and excellence through the sport of soccer. The vision is to leave knowledge that can sustain the continued development of youth within Ghana.

Special thanks are due to Bruno United of Providence, RI, Northbridge Youth Soccer, Phil Cicio, Waltham Youth Soccer, Westwood Youth Soccer, John Meadows, Julie Bussiere, and Hudson Youth Soccer. Without of all these sponsors the soccer initiative and donations would not have been possible. Each donation, no matter its size, has gone a long way in assisting the lives of young boys and girls of Ghana.

As the Babson study abroad program continues, soccer balls and gear are always greatly appreciated.  Please contact Ryan at rmeadows1@babson.edu with any inquiries or donations.

Ghana photos