Girls build life skills through soccer

  • By Katya Yefimova Herald Writer
  • Saturday, June 18, 2011 12:01am
  • Local News

EVERETT — Hannah Merisko may not speak their language, but she found common ground with girls in Cambodia thanks to soccer.

Merisko, 18, was part of a team from Northshore Christian Academy last summer sponsoring a girls soccer camp in Cambodia.

Merisko is a Northshore alumna who just graduated from Kamiak High School. Northshore’s physical education teacher, Kari Carter and her husband, Eddie, organize mission trips for students from lo

cal schools.

They work with the soccer nonprofit SALT Academy in Battambang, Cambodia. The organization helps girls from orphanages, and survivors of human trafficking, to build life skills through soccer.

The Carters lived in Cambodia for three months as part of Youth With a Mission ministry. A friend of theirs started SALT Academy and asked them to help train girls.

Girls in Cambodia face an uphill battle just to get the same chance as boys, Eddie Carter said. Many never learn that success is an option.

When Cambodians saw one of the Carters’ daughters play soccer, they couldn’t believe a girl could play that well.

“They were amazed that a girl could kick a ball as far and as high as the boys do,” he said.

The Carters started to bring American teams to Cambodia to show local girls what they can do. Their church, Mill Creek Foursquare, as well as Northshore Christian Academy and local youth soccer clubs, have helped with funding and equipment.

Merisko is planning to go again this year. Her 16-year-old brother, Elijah, will go, too.

Cambodia is still recovering from the brutal Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. Merisko knew little of its history before her trip. She tagged along because she wanted to be involved in a mission.

Cambodia was like a different world, Merisko said. The first wave of culture shock came when children began to cling to her, begging for money. It was hot, crowded and hectic. She didn’t speak the local language. But when she got to meet the girls in the soccer camp, that was no problem.

“We couldn’t really talk to them, but we were always laughing together because that’s just universal,” she said.

Merisko and her team taught the girls soccer moves and played games.

Soccer was what they had in common.

The visitors got to know the culture and saw the ancient temple of Angkor Wat. Though Merisko knew little about what had happened in Cambodia, she could feel the effects of the atrocities that shook the country decades ago.

Her experience on the mission trip helped Merisko realize the blessings in her life in the United States. She wants to return to Cambodia all the same.

“Leaving those girls was the hardest thing I’d ever done,” she said. “I’m so blessed that I can go back and meet more girls and bond with them.”

Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452; kyefimova@heraldnet.com.

Learn more

To get involved with the soccer camp, contact Eddie Carter at cambodiasoccer@gmail.com or 425-941-2869. To learn more about the SALT Academy, go to www.saltacademy.net.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mukilteo in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
On second go, Mukilteo City Council votes against sales tax hike

A veto from Mayor Joe Marine forced the council to bring the potential 0.1% sales tax increase back for another vote Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Two visitors comb the beach at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, in Tulalip, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Nate Nehring and WSU Beach Watchers to host beach cleanup at Kayak Point

Children and families are especially encouraged to attend the event at Kayak Point Regional County Park.

One person dead in single-vehicle fatal crash near Stanwood

A 33-year-old male was found dead at the scene Monday evening with his vehicle partially wrapped around a tree.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish Regional firefighters respond to nearly 90 calls on the Fourth

While crews stayed busy on Independence Day, it was far more peaceful than other years.

Vehicles travel along Mukilteo Speedway on Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Mukilteo approves 84-acre annexation east of Speedway

The annexation of unincorporated land is expected to bring new revenue to the city as it faces budget challenges.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.