When they first organized as a soccer team, Ali recalls, they were pretty rag-tag. Back in their original countries, they played soccer barefoot, sometimes with balloons, usually in their backyards. when they came to America and played, they were up against lavishly funded teams with performance coaches, large teams, and European soccer clothes.

Since then, we are adding to their pride and sense of teamwork. We got new soccer uniforms, sneakers, and tomorrow, I’m bringing the team T-shirts  and sweat bands.

This is not for decoration, it speaks to team’s  identity, pride and sense of themselves a a unit caring for one another. I got a special one for Ali, it says “coach.”

I think it is fair to say that these children, who suffered greatly before coming her, and have often lost parents, brothers and sisters and friends, have not always been welcomed in America. They face a hostile government which demonizes them as threats and job-stealers, and taunts from school mates and athletic competitors, more and more, young people seem to feel they have a license to be cruel, even racist.

Now, more than ever, I am committed to our notion of small acts of great kindness, I am committed to doing good, I am more committed than ever to keeping good alive.

If you wish to support my refugee work, you can contribute by sending your check to the Gus Fund, , care of me, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816,