I spent 2 years of my life trying to get on the US reality tv show Survivor. (Don’t ask me why).

While I didn’t quite make it on, I was able to garner the support of many previous Survivor contestants, including Ethan Zohn, who is the co-founder of an amazing non-profit Grassroot Soccer.

The organization uses soccer as a way to inform and educate African children on how to combat the scourge of AIDS. Why soccer?

Soccer is an integral part of local cultures across the world. It is something so positive that it brings smiles to children’s faces even in the worst of circumstances. In most places simply arriving at a field with a soccer ball will win you instant friendships and immediate access into a local community.

By working within this existing structure and by training role models - pro players, coaches and youth players themselves - to get the message out about healthy behavior and the risks of HIV, we have shown that we can dramatically increase awareness, change behaviors, and turn the tide against HIV.

I was recently alerted to a new movie they’d produced called Lusaka Sunrise. Check out the film’s official website to learn more about the organization, watch more video, and learn how to get involved.

Technorati Tags: africa, aids, grassroot soccer

Ian MacKenzie

Ian MacKenzie is the founder and editor of Brave New Traveler. Aside from writing, he spends his time exploring the fundamental nature of existence and wishing he did more backpacking.