‘Pass it On’, A Short Documentary About a Congolese Man Who Makes Homemade Soccer Balls From Refuse

“Pass it On” is a short, wordless documentary shot by Jerome Thélia for The New York Times that captures the process of a man in the Republic of Congo who creates soccer balls for the local children with discarded waste and twine. The village children are more than happy to accept his offerings.

The country has lost more than five million people to an intractable conflict that has terrorized the region for nearly two decades. Despite living through one of the world’s most brutal wars, children there still play with passion and joy – regardless of what kind of ball they are using.