Five representatives head abroad for the SIFE World Cup

By: Matt Frierdich
Posted: 10/7/09
The Mirror

Five representatives from Drury SIFE left on Friday for Berlin, Germany, to attend the SIFE World Cup.

Representatives from the team left for Germany on October 2 and will return home on October 10.

SIFE World Cup is the final stage of competition for SIFE teams from around the world.

The World Cup is where the national champions of each participating nation meet to present and compete on the global stage.

Last May, Jack Shewmaker earmarked a specific donation to be used exclusively for sponsoring travel for SIFE team members to attend the ceremonies and presentations at SIFE World Cup.

One of the team representatives, Valerie Abbott, plans to use this opportunity at World Cup to "Network with international SIFE teams."

Abbott explained she was "Excited to see the different levels of competition and various strategies from international teams."

"I think it will be interesting to meet with other teams from around the world and realize how far-reaching the SIFE organization is," Abbott said.

In addition to observing the World Cup, Abbott said that members of Drury SIFE will also be teaching in German high schools about the benefits of microfinance and meeting with the SIFE national champions from Guatemala.

Abbott said, "I'm a little bit nervous about teaching in a German high school as I do not speak any German, but I am excited to show them ways they can help others around the world."

Josh Jones, director of Drury SIFE, explained that the meeting scheduled with Guatemalan national champions was a result of communication and partnership.

"We were initially contacted by a member from the SIFE team at Francisco Marroquin University (UFM)… We were initially contacted about our water purification efforts. But it's become clear there are more opportunities than just water purification."

Drury SIFE is currently working on a project concerning coffee farmers in Guatemala.

This partnership between Drury and UFM SIFE will hopefully expand the depth and success of the project.

Jones hopes that Drury SIFE comes away from their experience in Berlin with a better understanding of the ideas that are successful on the global scale and a new level of excitement for their projects.

"I hope the experience of World Cup ignites the imagination and dedication of our members to create the most positive programs and projects possible… I also hope that Drury SIFE forges many meaningful contacts and partnerships with the SIFE teams competing in Berlin."