about us
We are Simon, Cem, David, Yusuf, Lukas, Burak, Maurice, Leonard, Valentin, Bastian and Lucas – 11 friends from the Bergisches Land in Germany and we want to make a difference. We founded One Veedel in December of 2019, after many inspiring conversations and with the conviction that united, our organization would stand far stronger and achieve greater things. Our mission: to combine our ideas and contacts in order to more effectively help around the world.
In January 2019, Simon went to South Africa for a few months where he first had the idea for One Veedel. He had originally planned on volunteering to support a football academy in Cape Town – but everything turned out rather differently. The academy cancelled on Simon and he was left on his own. But, what did Simon do with his sudden free time? He decided to take matters into his own hands and so he rented a car, bought balls and cones from his own money, and travelled to the township of Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay, southern Cape Town. There, he began coaching football and soon had up to 30 children a day to train.
Together with the children, the sand court was cleared of broken glass before practice began. From Germany, we could only watch him bring a smile to the children’s faces - but we knew we wanted to help, too. So, we collected clothes and money, gathered football shoes, and repeatedly brought packages to the post office. Eventually, and for the first time in their lives, the children had proper jerseys, real football shoes, goal posts, balls, vests and were provided with fresh fruit every day.
Simon spent a total of three months in Cape Town. His biggest highlight was taking the children to the aquarium. After the aquarium, many of the children went for a meal at McDonalds for the first time in their lives.
In April, Simon's journey came to an end and he went back to Cologne with a heavy heart. His connection to the township and the locals, however, has never been broken – and we want to help.
This is how our foundation, One Veedel, was founded. But they were wrong when they said the rest is history – it is the future! A better future, shaped by us – and you – together!
This is us!
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