Ana’s Playground

Ana’s Playground is a short film that was being shot in the Cedar Riverside area a week ago. It’s about children in Armed Conflict and uses soccer as it’s base.

According to the films web site, “The realistic role of soccer in Ana’s Playground makes the project all the more viable and exciting. Perhaps the most international of all sports, soccer (football) is a sign of the inherent connections between most of the world’s citizens. It also represents a major tool utilized directly in the rehabilitation and recovery of child soldiers. Soccer helps former combatants work through their aggression in a positive setting. The play helps them to reconnect to their childhood and to civilian life. It also provides a safe place for them to talk about their experiences on the battlefield.”

The film screenplay was written by Mounds View native, director, and writer Eric Howell. According to the Minnesota Daily, Howell said the film is about “when a child has to choose ideology over humanity.” He hopes the film will bring to light how countries are using children as soldiers throughout the globe.

Inside Minnesota Soccer also recognizes two good friends of Minnesota soccer, who are helping not only with the film, but with the cause.

Leo Gibson, of the Minnesota Thunder, coached the cast of child actors for their soccer scenes. Gibson, a refugee from Liberia lived through the tyranny of Charles Taylor. Gibson donated his time to the film with permission of the Minnesota Thunder who officially endorse the film.

Another good Minnesota soccer friend who not only helped in the making of the film, but will continue to donate to causes like Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, is Ronak Shah. Shah is the owner of Minnesota’s own soccer apparel company, Mazamba. Shah and Mazamba have committed to donating a whopping 10,000 soccer jerseys to Ana’s Playground. They will in turn use the jerseys in these various organizations that work to stop the use of children as soldiers.

According to the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers 2008 global report, children were actively involved in armed conflict in 19 countries or territories between April 2004 and October 2007.

All of the proceeds from the production will go to NGOs that aid in the disarmament, demobilization and rehabilitation of child soldiers.

IMS applauds both Leo Gibson and Ronak Shah for their very generous gifts of time, and money to this very worthy cause.