Ish Jhaj continues to shoot for the moon.
Jhaj, a Simon Fraser University kinesiology graduate, started an organization called Shooting for Hope several years ago.
Shooting for Hope gives underprivileged girls the opportunity to play soccer in Punjab, India.
Jhaj has gone back several times to check on the progress of the organization and she emailed recently with some details.
Jhaj said she's working with two government-funded schools in the Punjab, where there are school soccer programs for girls in grades 4 to 8.
"They play soccer an hour per day, six times a week," wrote Jhaj.
Shooting for Hope is providing the funding for a coach, female supervisor, nutritious meals for the girls, and soccer uniforms, cleats and equipment.
"I recently came back with my best friend Concetta D'Amato," said Jhaj. "Currently, the soccer school program is successful, and we are hoping the government will adopt this and install it across all government schools.
"I plan to return in December of this year and need help in terms of funding to ensure the programs continues and open more programs."
Jhaj said she ran a spring break camp which raised $4,000 and has partnered with another organization, girlsCANfootball, as they try to help girls in North America and India reach their fullest potential with soccer.
Jhaj, a Burnaby resident, is of South Asian descent and grew up in Quesnel, where her parents encouraged her to play soccer at a young age.
"I've stuck with it since," she said. "It's become a very important part of my life."
Jhaj is a graduate of New Westminster Secondary School and has continued playing club soccer in the women's premier division.
"Since I've been playing at higher levels," said Jhaj, "I don't see very many girls of my background playing soccer. It's unfortunate, as we have the opportunity to play in Canada.
"Due to cultural differences and how society thinks, girls aren't favoured to play sports as much as boys," she said.
For more info, go to www.shootingforhope.com or email Jhaj at [email protected].
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