Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan grew up “seeing the hardships and suffering” in a single-parent household and now wants to help others in the same position.
The 30-year-old is one of 14 female footballers from across the world who have been selected by Fifa to launch a social impact programme.
“My mum is my rock and stone. I grew up with six other sisters, seeing the hardships and suffering in ways. I think football was always my escape from reality,” Buchanan told BBC Sport.
“It was chaotic raising seven girls on her own. It wasn’t flashy, you didn’t get the best of things. It was difficult for my mum.
“She was from Jamaica and didn’t have a higher education so it was hard for her to find a job. We were on welfare money and were part of the government housing.
“Not many people come out of that area in a good light. What was special about football was that it didn’t make me go down a bad path.
“That’s really why I want to help single mums. We often didn’t have electricity and water. I was battling things that many didn’t know. Football was my safe haven.”
Fifa are funding an initial 25,000 US dollars (£18,929) per player, with further professional support and resources provided, and external investment.
Buchanan had to pitch her project to experts – which is a foundation to help single mums and their daughters take part in football more easily.
Her foundation, which is set to launch in January and hold its first camp in April, will provide grants for transportation, registration fees and kits, as well as offering free tickets to Canada national team matches and events.
‘She hustled and did what she could’
Buchanan, who was born in Toronto and has gone on to make over 150 appearances for Canada, is the youngest of her six siblings.
She took part in three months of training with Fifa and external experts in business to build her foundation and is currently discussing next steps with sponsors.
A key aim of the foundation is to help financially so single mums don’t have to feel uncomfortable asking for lifts or money to cover football costs.
“We had to find a way to get to matches and training every day. My mum found it difficult because she knew she couldn’t provide those sorts of things,” added Buchanan.
“Stepping out of your comfort zone for the best of the family – she did that. She really believed I would make it and she saw the passion in me. She hustled and did what she could to get me on that field.
“I want kids to be able to go to football matches. All my team-mates used to go to games and I couldn’t get tickets. I had to pretend I watched them.
“I feel like I’ve always been involved in my community. It really stems from my upbringing and background and where I’m from. I think that’s my drive and motivation.”
[BBC]
