By Jennifer Hager

Staff Writer

Mary Green, a member of the CSUSM women’s soccer team, takes community service to a whole new level.

This summer, Green and 65 members of the Eastside Christian Church in Anaheim traveled to Nairobi, Kenya for 10 days. The short trip made a large impact by connecting with over 1,200 children in amazing ways.

The group built a new kitchen, culinary school and opened a new medical clinic at a local boarding school.  Green spent most of her time assisting at the medical clinic, where she saw over 275 children who all had similar symptoms.  The children were hungry, dehydrated and suffering from local air pollution. Green was overwhelmed with the feeling that there was nothing she could do to help them feel better.  While patients waited in line to be seen by the doctors, nurses and EMTs, Green taught the children how to play leapfrog, charades and tag. Green also prayed with the children, and she even had the opportunity to play her very favorite sport with them.

Green’s favorite part of the soccer experience was seeing a few kids who had cleats offer to give their friends one of them.  Some even played in sandals.  Watching the kids express joy while playing the game was very touching.  At the end of the game, the volunteers gave each participant a plastic medal.  A few days later, Green saw some of the soccer kids. They showed her that they were wearing their medal under their clothes and had never taken it off.

A very special part of the trip was when Green met a little girl named Grace. She had been sponsored by Green and her family for quite some time.  Green taught Grace how to blow a bubble using gum and jump rope.  They continue to write letters to each other.

This trip made Green realize how we all take the littlest things for granted. It also confirmed her desire to continue her education in the medical field so that she can go back and help more people in the future.