Mark Kobanna

Soccer Heals Refugees

It is tough being the new kid in school. Living in one town my whole life, going off to college was the first time I had to experience this, so I can not imagine how difficult it had to be for Mark Kobanna and many other like him who come to the United States from war stricken countries or the isolation they felt due to the language and cultural differences. 

When Mark worked as a refugee case manager for a non profit organization. San Diego, where Mark works and lives, is the countries largest refugee resettlement locations. Although he went through the same situation, seeing others go through the challenges of living in a new country as a refugee and having to rely on others helped Mark create Youth and Leaders Living Actively (YALLA). 

YALLA also is Arabic for "Let's go!" This program started in 2009 and provides free tutoring programs and soccer training to 200 girls and boys in San Diego, California. 

Mark's goal was to help those who come over and are years behind both catch up and surpassing the language barriers to understand what they are learning through mandatory twice a week tutoring. 

Mark Kobanna's program also creates a support group for these kids. When he came over he was ostracized for being different and poor. YALLA allows these kids somewhere they feel safe and can learn. This program has helped many kids and I hope it continues to do so for a long time! 

For More Information: CNN Real Heroes