EduGolf - Out of the Rough
The Edugolf Foundation located in Caracas, Venezuela strives to improve the quality of life for the economically disadvantaged children of Venezuela by providing a safe and secure learning environment.
OUT OF THE ROUGH
Edugolf is helping the children of Venezuela overcome poverty and become productive members of society.
At first glance, learning to play golf, a sport traditionally perceived as belonging to the wealthy, may not seem a way out of the barrios of Caracas, Venezuela. But the Edugolf Foundation is changing the future of disadvantaged children one stroke at a time. Edugolf was designed to provide children with a safe and secure learning environment while developing their attitudes, skills and desires. Using the sport as a motivational tool, Edugolf helps the children focus on education, health and nutrition, without the distractions of having to struggle within an environment of poverty where basic needs are of daily concern. Currently the Foundation is working with 30 kids, and the objective for next year is to double that number.
The children enter the Foundation typically when they are between nine and 13-years-old with the goal being that they continue with the Foundation until they graduate from high school. By graduation they have developed very strong academic and English language skills, giving them the ability to enter a university in Venezuela or any other country around the world. By then the children have also developed exceptional golf skills, which will enable them to be eligible for a golf athletic scholarship in any university where golf is part of the curriculum.
A day in the life of Edugolf is very busy for the children. The Foundation has a group of children in the morning and a group in the afternoon depending on their school schedule. The children are picked up early in the morning from their homes in the transportation vehicles of the Foundation. Once they arrive, they have an exercise class that may include running, stretching, yoga, or weight training. After a healthy breakfast the children continue with an intensive English class, followed by golf lessons on the fundamentals of the game. Once they finish golf, they complete any homework they might have with the private tutors of the Foundation. Next, the children shower and change into their school uniforms. Just before heading to school, the children are served a well-balanced lunch giving them the energy they need. The afternoon group follows the same type of routine as the morning, naturally adjusted to the different time of the day. The Foundation also offers drug prevention programs and various cultural activities, such as visits to museums and art exhibits to help broaden their horizons.
In addition to being one of the main corporate sponsors of Edugolf, Stanford sponsored two of the Edugolf children to visit the Stanford St. Jude Golf Championship. During a week of activities they were able to meet PGA players, visit golf equipment trailers and get a behind-the-scenes view of the CBS and Golf Channel broadcasts. This historic trip was the first time either of the two had ventured outside Venezuela, much less traveled by airplane.
“We know these children will share their experience back home in Venezuela,” says John Jordan, founding director of Edugolf. “They have seen where hard work and focus can truly take you.”
“It is an honor and a blessing for EduGolf to be associated with Stanford Financial Group.”
John Jordan
Founding Director of Edugolf