Chelsea's Canadian defender Kadeisha Buchanan knows what it feels like to dream big while living with limited means having grown up around Toronto as the youngest of seven daughters to a single mother, moving from house-to-house.
Soccer became Buchanan's escape. But the costs were daunting. She always chose new soccer boots over back-to-school shoes. She often asked teammates for rides to training and games.
Buchanan is now launching a foundation for girls in single-parent homes to help fund their soccer goals, and is one of 14 female players around the world who are part of the FIFA Player Impact Programme unveiled on Friday.
"This project hits home," the 32-year-old said in an interview with Reuters. "I'm super passionate about it, because this is basically my life story.
"I lived in Toronto, Mississauga, Georgetown, Brampton. I just moved around from house-to-house. Mom [Melsadie Tate], being Jamaican, it was difficult for her to find a job, we ended up in government housing. I remember a team email that said, 'Kadeisha Buchanan, your fees are still due.'
"There were a lot of mouths to feed. But my mother really hustled, she asked friends and family to help with travel, registration fees and uniforms. So, it really took a community to get me where I am today through football."
Those experiences helped shape her foundation.
Armed with an initial $25,000 plus guidance from soccer's global governing body FIFA, Buchanan plans to provide financial assistance and mentorship to 12 girls aged 12 to 16, to "help them get to the next level, whether it's going pro or going to America on a full ride scholarship."
Players had to pitch their ideas to FIFA, who also selected Melchie Dumornay (Haiti), Gaelle Enganamouit (Cameroon),
Read more on cbc.ca
cbc.ca