“We immediately discovered in him the makings of a great player” - Nine years of friendship, mentoring and support paves the way to Pierre’s football success

READ ABOUT FONDAPS

Pierre Levington, an 18 year old from the ghettos of Port au Prince has recently signed as a professional football player for French team AC Ajaccio.

His career started out with local Haitian organisation FONDAPS, who we supported after the 2010 earthquake in their mission to to educate children from slum areas of the city, through sports.

FONDAPS is founded by Patrice Millet, a Haitian businessman who was diagnosed with bone cancer in 2006. This experience made him realise he wanted to dedicate his life to giving something back to the young people of his country.

Patrice says “Pierre joined us when he was nine years old. He stayed with us until his sixteenth year. He belongs to a family of six, who all live in a ghetto in difficult conditions. Upon his arrival at the club, we were struck by his talents and his love of football. We immediately discovered in him the makings of a great player”.

Patrice supported Pierre over the years, as he does with hundreds of children that attend his football coaching programme. FONDAPS focuses on sporting principles such as fair play, teamwork, respecting their coaches and their opponents; knowing that these values carry over into young people’s everyday lives.

“I had to persuade Pierre’s family to let him attend as he was not doing well in his school work. They were skeptical, but after many visits eventually gave in” says Patrice. 

​With intensive coaching and mentoring, Pierre’s talent for football progressed to a dazzling level. FONDAPS supported him in every area, enrolling him in school, providing extra tutoring for coursework and language learning, and even finding a safer home for his family.

​At sixteen, Patrice advised him to join the sports club Saint-Louis in the 2nd Division whose owner, a friend of Patrice's, had contacts abroad. After six months, this friend took him to Bastia with two other players and only Pierre was drafted. FC Bastia climbed in the first division, but troubles with the French Football Federation relegated the club in National Division.

At this time AC Ajaccio contacted Leverton for a trial year and during this time he was invited by the Haitian Football Federation to participate in the qualifiers for the World Cup. In his new club, he soon was noticed by his coaches and after 14 goals scored this season, he has now signed a professional contract.

​Our Executive Director Ben Wilkes says “Having worked with Patrice over the years, this is just one example that reflects not only his dedication, but what happens when you genuinely value children as individuals. It’s not just about football; the children receive mentoring and support in many aspects of their lives. Families receive food, none of the children he supports are involved in gangs, and hundreds access education and scholarships”. 

We’d like to join FONDAPS  in wishing Pierre ‘a long, beautiful and successful career’.