By: Ellie Shalvarjian
Staff Writer
Mira Costa’s Mustangs4Change Club has taken its work in the refugee crisis to a new level, as it was recently recognized after a Los Angeles Galaxy soccer game by the I-ACT organization.
Sophomore Julia Nuttall-Smith started Mustangs4Change this school year, and its focus is spreading awareness for the Darfuri refugee conflict. I-ACT empowers individuals who have been affected by genocides, killings and other crimes against human beings.
The organization honored the Mustangs4Change Club at a presentation after the Los Angeles Galaxy’s first-ever Darfur United Night game on April 10. The game was dedicated to benefitting Darfur United through the donation of $5 to Darfur United per fan ticket purchased.
“We are extremely privileged and honored to be recognized, as I-ACT is internationally known,” Julia Nuttall-Smith said. “To be a part of their cause is a huge opportunity that we are very grateful for.”
The presentation consisted of an overview of the progress I-ACT has made and what it is planning for the future. It focused on sports empowerment in refugee camps in the hopes of giving refugees the strength to leave their country, which Mutangs4Change works to bring attention to.
Mustangs4Change works to connect children from the South Bay area to the global refugee crisis by educating Costa students about the issue. The club raises awareness by speaking to middle school classrooms, participating in activism walks, petitions and raffles. They focus specifically on the situation of the Darfuri refugees in Eastern Chad. Mustangs4Change is a part of the local organization I-ACT.
“This is a great way to show I-ACT’s efforts in the refugee camps and educating others throughout the world,” Tomaro said. “I hope that everyone watching or attending the game learned something new about I-ACT and specifically what we stand for. It was really exciting to be recognized by I-ACT since their group has grown so much this year, and now they are even internationally recognized.”
At the presentation at the L.A. Galaxy game, Mustangs4Change Club members were given a shout-out from I-ACT, receiving gracious applause and support. Additionally, Nuttall-Smith and Tomaro attended a meet and greet with I-ACT leaders, including Executive Director of I-ACT Gabriel Stauring and I-ACT Director of Programs Sara-Christine Dallain after the game. Nuttall-Smith and Tomaro also spoke to I-ACT member and former Bosnian refugee Baggio Husidic.
“The game was really exciting; the score ended up being 1-1, and all of the fans there supporting the Darfur cause got to sit together,” Nuttall-Smith said. “The actual I-ACT presentation had an amazing turnout for being only the first year, and it will hopefully be continued in the future.”
Nuttall-Smith, Tomaro and sophomore Amalia Lohuis all helped start the Mustands4Change Club this year. Nuttall-Smith’s mother, Alexandra Nuttall-Smith, is the athletic trainer and physical therapist for the Darfur United all-men’s refugee soccer team, which inspired Julia Nuttal-Smith to start the club.
“Many people have forgotten the Darfur genocide, or they don’t even know what genocide is,” Julia Nuttall-Smith said. “It is frustrating to see that just because there is something else more exciting or noteworthy out there, that the world forgets what is behind the scenes.”
Throughout this past year, the club has donated $750 that it raised in a bake sale to support the creation of a Darfur United Soccer Academy, which provides Darfuri children a safe and fun place to learn and play soccer. The club has also been recognized by I-ACT before for being the first high school club for the cause.
“Mustangs4Change is truly fortunate to be a part of a movement like the Darfur United Soccer Academy,” Julia Nuttall-Smith said. “We hope to continue to help make a difference for these children in the refugees camps who lost their homes and families due to genocide; we have forgotten the people of Darfur, but it’s not too late to act now.”
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