Nations United Soccer 

 Mary Karol has taught at South Jr. High in Boise, Idaho  for 18 years, teaching English and Reading. She is currently South’s school librarian. Nations United FC was established in 2016 after conversations with two of her refugee students revealed their deep love of soccer and their lack of opportunities to play.

I was born in northern Ethiopia about a little more than quarter of a century ago. During my young ages, I was introduced to an activity called football, as some may call it “soccer”. When I moved here after I lived eight-long-years in refugee camp, I immediately figured it out that soccer is a little slow and behind to consider it a career than where I was. There for, school and job has become priority. However, I couldn’t quite soccer just like that. I love soccer, it’s my passion and hobby growing up. Instead, I approached it in a different way. I decided to obtain coaching licenses from the U.S.S.F and made myself available in the field again, but this time not as a player but as a coach. Which I’m realizing is more fun.

Moses Mukengezi was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and developed his passion for soccer by playing in the streets with his siblings and friends. In 2007, Moses and his family moved to Boise. One of the first things he did was find a soccer field and luckily enough Idaho Rush Soccer Club had teams playing at those fields. He played soccer for Idaho Rush and Boise High School until graduating and moving on to play at Treasure Valley Community College for 2 years. After coming back to Boise to complete his bachelor’s degree in sociology at Boise State University. For four years he coached for the Boys and Girls Club of Ada County before joining Nations United. Professionally Moses works as an employment specialist and donations manager at the Agency for New Americans and translates for many organizations throughout the Boise community. Nations United gives him the opportunity to combine his two passions of soccer and helping the refugee community while sharing his passion for soccer with kids that are just like he was.

Jessica grew up playing soccer here in the Boise area. She played club with Les Bois United which has since merged into FC Nova, and also played varsity 4 years at Boise High School. Jessica’s freshman year of college she attended Seattle Pacific University on a soccer scholarship, however, her sophomore year she decided to leave the soccer field and pursue her dream of learning Spanish and traveling. She studied abroad in San Sebastian, Spain where she was immersed in Spanish and futbol culture. Today, apart from working with Nations United, Jessica works as a Spanish teacher at Hillside Junior High. Nations United gives Jessica the opportunity to engage in 3 of her biggest passions: engaging with other cultures, working with young adults, and soccer.