Who Is Kicks4Kenya? Kicks4Kenya is an organization established in 2007 with the goal of getting soccer equipment to children in Kenya. By providing them with proper balls and equipment to encourage their play, these children can learn about teamwork and motivation. The sport also provides them with a temporary relief from their poverty-stricken world so that they may return with a more optimistic mindset and new enthusiasm for life. In the long run, these characteristics will help them grow as individuals and give them the confidence to overcome the obstacles they face and make great changes in their lifestyles. Thus, while a soccer ball may not seem like much of a gift, it is truly giving them the gift of the world.

How We Started. In the summer of 2005, TJ Widbin was given the opportunity to travel to Kenya to work first hand at an orphanage. While there he was unable to speak to the children due to the language barrier. He often saw the children playing soccer so that was his way of communicating with them. However they were not playing with a real soccer ball or even with shoes. They played with tightly packed plastic bags tied together with rope. It meant no difference to the kids because they loved the game so much, but TJ knew it could be different. When he returned to the states he knew he wanted to do something to help the kids and soccer was the only thing he wanted to do. After a few months passed TJ sent an email out to the Kansas City Wizards of the MLS to request their help in donating a few balls for his next trip to Africa. Little did he know where things would go from there. Not only did he receive 2 boxes of balls and equipment, but they also put his story on their website, then the Kansas City Star wrote an article on it and from then on there has been no looking back.