The best measurement of impact for GOALS Haiti isn’t just in the numbers.
It’s seen in a whole generation of change.
For 15 years, GOALS has been using soccer and education as tools to advance youth leadership in rural communities. One indicator that stood out as it heard from community members about its program impact is the teenage pregnancy rate.
Before GOALS, the teenage pregnancy rate in the community was 7 percent.
Today, it stands at 0 percent.
It’s a rare figure for the poorest country in the western hemisphere, with the National Library of Medicine reporting rural communities in Haiti face 10 percent teenage pregnancy rate.
“Tackling teenage pregnancy is a very sensitive issue, and girls and young women are very vulnerable with little respect,” GOALS coach Dyna Wagnac explained. “Being pregnant at a young age is very dangerous for their lives and will have a negative impact on the girl’s life and in the community too. This is why we coaches are committed to making sure girls don’t fall into a difficult situation like pregnancy.”
A long-term vision
One father stood up during a community meeting and said that a generation of girls had been saved from teen pregnancy because of GOALS. The change has been seen across the villages of Destra, Bossan and Carrefour Croix, where GOALS works in close partnership with to operate programming.
Community meetings are a way to share news, listen to concerns & ensure we are working together for youth #development. Open Quarterly meetings in each #community we work ensures transparency & mutual support. #teamgoals #Haiti pic.twitter.com/O22fJD9hRL
— GOALS Haiti (@goalshaiti) April 1, 2025
“What works is that we are getting the kids to come to the field and trainings because of the game of soccer,” Wagnac continued. “So, us at GOALS, we continue to give the kids more support, more attention, more effective dialogue.”
GOALS’ vision has been to take a long-term approach of running daily programming that will help raise a generation of youth leaders. Since its founding in 2010, the first generation of participants are giving back to their community as engaged citizens; more than 14 are now also employed by GOALS.
Francesca was among the first GOALS participant, joining because her cousin invited her. Not only did she enjoy playing soccer, but she excelled in the education program and wanted to continue learning by taking up computer classes. Now, she supports GOALS in monitoring and evaluation.
“The GOALS programs have helped me so much in my life, especially the Dream Team program; it is thanks to GOALS that I finished high school and went on to further my education,” Francesca said. “My goal is to become an independent woman financially.”
In her journey through GOALS, she learned from trainers on health education and teenage pregnancy.
“I learned how to protect myself so I did not get pregnant. I feel healthy today because GOALS taught me about sexual health, disease prevention, using condoms to avoid getting STDs and many other things,” she shared.
Through initiatives like Purposeful Play, literacy and tutoring programs, health education workshops and leadership training, GOALS has equipped thousands of youth with the skills and knowledge to make informed choices about their futures.
“GOALS has helped me to learn about teenage pregnancy through the training sessions, the sex education training is very important for girls and adolescent like me,” said current participant Jornadie. “I also learned how to defend myself if someone is trying to hurt me.”
Commitment through crisis
Haiti is seeing gang violence surge, with the capital Port-au-Prince teetering on 100 percent control by the gangs. The fighting has reached the border of the town where GOALS’ office is as gangs continue pushing to expand their territory. This makes girls and women particularly vulnerable with gender-based violence also increasing, and GOALS even more determined to be a safe haven for them.
“At GOALS Haiti, we’ve witnessed a true shift—a generation of young people who see themselves not just as students or athletes, but as leaders, advocates and change-makers for their communities,” GOALS Executive Director Kathy McAllister said.
“They are growing up with a stronger sense of responsibility for their environment, their education and each other. It’s never been clearer that long-term investment works.
“Now, more than ever, with Haiti facing unprecedented crises, our commitment—and the commitment of our partners—is critical, because Haiti’s youth are standing at a crossroads. With continued support, they have the power to transform Haiti’s future, and it is the promise of their future that we continue to stand with them, to believe in them and to make sure they know they are not alone in this journey.”
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As a grantee partner of Play Academy with Naomi Osaka, GOALS Haiti advances youth leadership through soccer and education to create stronger, healthier communities in rural Haiti. Soccer is the heart of their programming. Visit goalshaiti.com to learn more about the organization, and visit playacademynaomi.com to learn how Play Academy is changing girls’ lives through play and sport.
