Zac (second from left) at Victor's orphanage

In Luján, Argentina, fourteen young boys work rigorously from dawn to dusk, completing a never-ending list of chores on their farm. But this place is more than just a farm for these boys—the orphanage is their home, their school and their support system. One of the farm’s young residents is 13-year-old Victor, who was orphaned as a baby. Every day he looks forward to the hour after lunch—fútbol (soccer) time. This time helps heal some of the pain that Victor has endured and allows him to shine at the one thing loves most. When his torn soccer ball soars though the air, all tensions from memories and daily hardships disappear. The wintry sun shines on Victor’s dirty face, while that innocent smile shines through.

This summer I had the opportunity to participate in a community service project at a home for at-risk Argentinean children. The experience inspired me to start my own brand of social change and bring it home to my own Jewish community—and it all started with one soccer ball. As Jews and as young people, I think we have an obligation to participate passionately in tikkun olam (repairing the world).

On July 20, 2009, I brought something extra to the farm; something that I had no idea would change not only Victor’s life, but my own. I brought a brand new soccer ball with me, and when I put the gift in Victor’s hands, he beamed. In that moment, the differences between Victor and me—race, ethnicity, religion, background—they all melted away, and I realized just how simple it is to bring happiness into a life. I realized I could spread this message of tikkun olam beyond Victor’s farm.

Since my return from Argentina, I have begun a non-profit organization in my community called Amigos de Fútbol, distributing large boxes in every local school district in the Hudson Valley, N.Y., in order to collect new and used sports equipment for needy children in South America.

It is nearly impossible for me to imagine enduring the abuse, starvation and neglect that Victor and millions of children like him have known and experience every day. Those children need role models to share hope and love. Since the creation of Amigos de Fútbol, the project has become an official non-profit organization with the help of the Community Foundation of Dutchess County in New York. The support from my own school, Spackenkill High, has allowed the organization to expand by inviting 62 schools in the Hudson Valley to participate by appointing two students to spearhead the cause in their own school districts each year.

These leaders, or “team captains,” will be one junior and one sophomore who exhibit academic excellence, responsibility, team building skills and leadership. In addition to leading their school’s branch of Amigos de Fútbol, each team captain will be able to learn about and utilize the fundamentals of the non-profit sector while contributing to an inspiring community service program. This opportunity will challenge participants to grow and thrive with peer leaders in an exciting and inspirational project.

The great thing is that any student, anywhere in the world, can get involved. Here’s how it works. After a student contacts our organization (amigosdefutbol@gmail.com or visit amigosdefutbol.org) and expresses an interest in getting involved, we will send them a start-up kit, including all necessary materials to run the project in any community. I have also started setting up exciting fundraising events such as community soccer tournaments.

The more people who get involved, the more children we can help. Upon returning home from Argentina, I felt touched and determined to contribute in a positive way to the social issues of the world, but overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. I hope that this program will provide others like me with an opportunity to help and will lead to a burst of positive changes in South American children’s lives, beginning with their love of soccer.

Zac Belok is junior at Spackenkill High School in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He is the President and Founder of the non-profit organization, Amigos de Fútbol and enjoys participating in community service projects with the Youth Leadership Foundation.