Our Executive Director had a conversation with Coach Dyna who recently was promoted to lead purposeful play trainer with GOALS Haiti. Here is a recap of what Dyna shared of her story.

I started to work with GOALS in 2014 because I saw that they were doing a great job in the area. I was following their work on the field and was drawn to what they were doing. I then went to a training with them and offered to volunteer. After several months of learning their curriculum, I then became an employee as a Coach.

Being from the area has helped me as I was born in Leogane in Caffour Duford. I started playing soccer at 14 years old and played with the team Anacoana. The community knew that with girls playing football they are active in positive outlets and avoid getting pregnant early.

I learned discipline and how to respect one another. At the same time, I was learning football I was following how to be a coach. When I was younger my coach was a mentor and a role model for me, and I knew I wanted to do the same.

I worked to become a leader through practice and training. I see the change through our work when we see the capacity of the kids to play football and learn. They now have the chance of our programs. It used to be that young girls did not have a healthy outlet and now they are involved in making healthy choices.

Through our outreach with GOALS Haiti I have travelled to other communities to train other coaches, teachers, and students.

I was sitting at my house and reflecting on that with all my experience with football and the kids near my house that need activity I decided to start my own football club which is called Dynasty in March 2020. Parents are helping me because it is an important activity in our area to develop the kid’s talent.

There are other activities I am involved with such as a radio program on Children rights and football for 3 days a week and 2 days a week teaching physical education in local schools. I stay motivated and I always want to stay active. With effort we will continue our work to realize our dreams.

I am a leader in GOALS Haiti. Whatever community I am in I owe it to be a leader and show kids in the community how to act as a leader. When we talk about leadership it is important to note that there are good leaders and bad leaders. Kids will follow your example. It is not a game. Kids will see if you are showing a negative example. You must take responsibility for what message you are giving to kids. A good leader is not always easy because when you are given a role and take responsibility and you do not rise to the occasion it can be detrimental to the kids in your program. A coach is a leader, and you must try to show kids what is behavior that can help them.