Charity soccer tournament at UPEI August 1 in aid of refugee Mohamed Mara

The Canada Games PEI Women's Soccer Team and the UPEI Women's Soccer Team will hold a charity co-ed tournament on Saturday, August 1, on the UPEI soccer field to raise funds to help buy myoelectric hands for Mohamed Mara, a refugee from Sierra Leone now living on P.E.I.

During the civil war in Sierra Leone, rebel forces massacred Mara's mother, father and siblings. Mohamed escaped but was caught later by rebels who cut off his hands.

Mara uses prosthetic hooks and is able to do some simple movement functions with them. However, because of the abnormal motions his body must perform to use the hooks, he is developing problems in his shoulders, neck and back.

In March 2009, a group of people established a Friends of Mohamed campaign, which is raising funds to pay for two myoelectric hands, rehabilitation and maintenance. The total cost will be approximately $80,000.

UPEI has donated the soccer field for the August 1 tournament. The registration of $20 per person includes a barbeque and t-shirts. Each team will have five to seven players, and Mara himself will play. Games are played five v five, for a minimum of three games.

To register, contact the UPEI Soccer Office at (902) 566-6054 or e-mail soccerfriends@live.com.