ABOUT US
OUR
MOTIVATION
Children are our future. You have probably heard this many times before. But what does this really mean? At school, our children learn many things: from languages, Pythagoras’ Theorem to the periodic table and the fault lines of tectonic plates. And that’s a good thing. This general knowledge helps us to understand the world around us and develop our own interests.
Societies however feel compelled to provide a curriculum mainly tailored towards career paths and preparation thereof. Of course, this can be measured and assessed easily. We train lawyers, pilots, police officers, doctors and skilled tradesman. Absolutely, we need this type of expertise and skill sets. Nevertheless, something seems to be amiss. Studies indicate that young people between the ages of 14 to 29 increasingly suffer from anxiety, often relating to their future.
But what exactly is missing? Could it be that a curriculum purely focused on academic knowledge is too narrow? After all, „reflection“ or „on being human“ are not stand-alone subjects taught in schools yet. Our contribution is to attempt to fill this gap and expand children’s awareness beyond that of the standard curriculum. To accompany children on their life journey is a great privilege. And as such, it is important to give children the opportunity to reflect on themselves and the world around them. Life skills.
We want to empower children to shape their present with awareness and self-determination and hence to be able to look positively in to a self-determined future.
There is no more neutrality in the world. You either have to be part of the solution, or you’re going to be part of the problem.
AHA! AND WOW!
We are motivated by the fact that each and everyone of us has unlimited potential. Sometimes all it takes is a few impulses and a little encouragement to remind ourselves of this in order tap into that potential. Rather than giving away money or product donations, we would like to gift “aha moments”: The opportunity to see things and situations from a potentially new perspective and so foster the ability to understand complex interrelationships and consequences.
The best is yet to come: The “aha” of the light bulb moment, is followed by a feeling of “wow”: Coaches and children together can make a difference in their club. Because with each completed course programme, you have earned yourself some equipment. Balls, goals, corner flags or bags – there is always something a football team and club could do with. And you have earned it.
WITH EACH OTHER.
FOR EACH OTHER.
This is why the Team Musiala Foundation offers long-term engagement with courses in increasing depth and complexity. Our courses have been developed with children and busy coaches in mind: powerful concepts and colourful illustrations make it easily accessible. Football clubs can take part with their football teams. The football coaches can easily integrate our courses into one of their weekly training sessions.
The complex concept of values and growth mindset are observed and discussed on the pitch within the microcosm football, which makes it instantly more tangible, relatable and therefore easier to understand. Those learnings can then be transferred to and practiced in other areas of life. Currently we are also working on other resources, which are helpful tools to empower children in their daily lives.
Strong kids.
Strong teams.
Strong societies.
JAMAL MUSIALA
Founder and Donor
Jamal grew up in an environment which was ever-evolving and changing in line with the family’s goals.
Having been in born in Stuttgart, Germany, his mother’s degree in social sciences relocated the family to Fulda when Jamal was 2. The accompanying semester abroad led the family over Southampton to London, where Jamal then at the age of 7 discovered the football world in England: first in Southampton and then in Chelsea. When he reached 16, his journey then continued to FC Bayern in Munich.
With each further step and change, there were new opportunities for growth for everyone in the family.
The growth mindset and values Jamal grew up with were his constant travel companions, which reliably helped him in various new or challenging situations. Whether that be as the seven-year-old who arrived in England without the ability to speak the language but instead takes advantage of the universal language of football or today, as a professional football player, scoring the deciding goal for FC Bayern Munich in the last minute of the last Bundesliga game day in 2023.
Many people have supported him on his journey by sharing valuable knowledge and skills. Now is the time to give something back and create something positive for others who are the beginning of their journey.
As both Jamal and Carolin profited from a positive and dynamic growth mindset, it was both a natural and obvious step to start a charitable organization which focuses exactly on this topic.
You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.
CAROLIN MUSIALA
Founder and CEO
Carolins journey illustrates that even under challenging circumstances, everything is possible as long as you are committed to follow your dreams.
Secondary school was followed by an apprenticeship and subsequent employment in retail. Carolin then decided to go back to school and attend college to obtain a “Fachabitur” (specialized A levels) via the Second-Chance Education Pathway. Her long-term goal and dream was to study social sciences.
Even under normal circumstances it is not an easy undertaking to pivot and change career direction via the Second-Chance Education pathway. Not only does it require forgoing the accustomed income and security that comes with it, it also means going back to school as an adult and the consequential process of having to re-establish yourself in a new industry.
But to devise this plan as an expectant mother, to follow through and implement this process with a baby and later toddler in tow? To move into a foreign town to attend university, in a completely new environment without any social connections? That represents a totally different level of challenge.
Having a clear vision of her future and what she wanted to be able to offer her child helped her stay focused. Having a clear aim in mind gave her no other option but to align her daily priorities and actions with her long-term goals.
Carolin happily recalls the day she took part in a workshop designed to support young / single mothers in planning their future. Instead of a one-off cash donation aimed at solving a short-term problem, she received a gift for life: 60 minutes at this workshop with a career / life coach. This lady was the first person to actually encourage Carolin and confirm that her mission was achievable – even as a young mother – provided she instills an awareness about time management as well as prioritising.
“Everything is possible, you just have to decide each day, how you want to use your time.”
With this advice and an A4 sheet containing a time management table, she was on her way in a new and self-determined future. This new trajectory and direction lead her not only to meet her initial goals of “Fachabitur” and a BA in social sciences including an internship abroad but go further than she had ever imagined: She went on to do her master. Including a semester abroad.
The path she took and the strategies she deployed to pursue her goals naturally also influenced Jamal’s life. The Team Musiala Foundation is now the perfect platform to share and pass on their positive and self-empowering experiences.
Vision without action is a daydream. And action without vision is a nightmare.
JASEMIN FETTANBUSINESSDEVELOPMENT
Just like Carolin and Jamal, Jasemin is originally from Stuttgart, but spent most of her life in London – where hers and Carolin’s paths crossed for the first time.
During her time in London, Jasemin learnt to use challenges for personal as well as professional growth and as such used the opportunity to get glimpses in various industries / sectors and build on that experience: administration, finance, communication, graphic design, brand development and entrepreneurship.
During that time in the English metropolis and to further her skills set in business development, she attended the London College of Communication – as a single mother to two boys.
With her versatility, creativity, passion and her “thrive for excellence”, Jasemin is an important part of the Team Musiala Foundation. She is responsible for the implementation of the foundations mission and not only gives this unusual Foundation its face, but also shapes the strategy and content development.
Her strength is to find methods, which make complex topics accessible and adapts content as well as requirements to the respective target audience and environment.
You have to try the impossible to achieve the possible.
