San Narciso

Jesser

Most people in the world believe that routine and repetition breed boredom. Those who operate under this notion have clearly never met San Narciso's smallest 9 year old.

Each afternoon this summer began the same for the Sports Servants volunteers. As we drove up to the field in the center of San Narciso Village, like clockwork, Jesser would sprint around the corner of the bleachers and pounce into the first car door that was opened. Our rental car for the summer quickly became "his" car as he would constantly weasel his way to the driver's seat in order to pretend he was driving his car down the road, honking at every car he passed. Needless to say, Jesser served as an unwavering source of entertainment and laughs.

After spending many days with this energetic and dynamic boy, we began to learn of his background. Jesser, the shortest boy his age, was orphaned at a young age and was taken in by his grandmother, with whom he now lives. Undersized and overpowered by his peers, he relies on his comical and trouble-making antics to garner attention and affection. Although he commonly refused to participate in the drills at camp, Jesser could be found seeking affirmation and affection from the older boys, grown men, and the American volunteers who were around the field.

As became evident, Jesser carried a void of any substantial, positive male influence in his life. We learned that he is often persuaded by older boys to participate in mischievous activities because of his longing for attention and guidance. Lacking a father figure, Jesser was the perfect candidate for the nurturing guidance of the Belizean coaches that Sports Servants was training through the coaching workshops and camps.

Jesser's need paired with the Belizean coaches' desire to celebrate and train each child combined to foster one of the most memorable and meaningful moments of the summer. Jesus, the head coach in San Narciso, observed that Jesser and a number of the youngest campers were feeling neglected since they were seen as too young to participate in scrimmages with the elder age groups. Accordingly, Jesus and the other coaches strategically designed a scrimmage in which Jesser and his contemporaries would have a chance to gain a rigged victory. In this unforgettable game, the regulation time expired with a tie score. As penalty kicks began, Jesser was selected to take the final shot. While the entire camp looked on, the unlikely hero approached and booted the ball into the back of the net for the winning goal. Without hesitation, all of the older campers rushed the field to surround their new champion. The atmosphere seemed to bring to Belize, at least for a moment, the glory of a World Cup victory.

Over the course of three weeks of camp, we took a front seat view as the Belizean coaches began to understand Jesser's needs and nurture him accordingly. Through the Sports Servants camp, this rambunctious and often neglected child was able to find many new father figures who will undoubtedly serve as mentors and adopted parents for him in the maturing years that lie ahead of him.