Harris Helps Grow The Game With Impactful Trip to Liberia

At the start of December, Orlando Pride Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris traveled with U.S Women’s National Team Head Coach Jill Ellis to the nation of Liberia to visit the Monrovia Football Academy. Harris and her coach had some memorable moments as they worked with Monrovia Football Academy and the state of Liberia to promote women’s soccer and women’s rights.

On one of Harris’ first days in Liberia, she watched the training at Monrovia Football Academy with Madam Ellen Johnson, the President of Liberia and the first female president in Africa. After that, she spent some time talking with the children at the academy about the game of soccer and the valuable skills that it teaches you. Harris and Ellis were working with the children as both teachers and coaches.

Harris and Ellis traveled to Liberia to not only promote the growth of the game, but to help promote the empowerment of women and girls in Liberia. They were working with Monrovia Football Academy, the first school in Liberia to connect education and soccer. Ellis was named as a Monrovia Football Ambassador, creating the connection for possible future relations between U.S Soccer and Liberia.

You can see some of these moments in the Instagram posts from Harris below.

Watching the @monroviafootballacademy today with Liberian President Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Aka first Women's President in Africa. What an unbelievable day. Very grateful in this moment. #GivingTuesday http://www.monroviafa.com/donate-1/ A photo posted by ashlynharris24 (@ashlynharris24) on Nov 30, 2016 at 5:43am PST

Spent time with the @monroviafootballacademy on the pitch and in the classroom today. A photo posted by ashlynharris24 (@ashlynharris24) on Nov 30, 2016 at 2:50pm PST

Lend a hand. You never know who's life you might change. Thank you PHP Community for letting me into your home. Your smiles light the darkest nights. A photo posted by ashlynharris24 (@ashlynharris24) on Dec 1, 2016 at 1:31pm PST

Harris’ trip was organized by the U.S Embassy, U.S Soccer, and Sports United, the Department of State’s division dedicated to sports. She said on Instagram that she hopes to return to Liberia soon.