14 year old Rafe Cochran thrives in changing lives in Haiti & Jamaica though golf
West Palm Beach (CBS12) — It's not always easy to keep a 14 year old focused on the task at hand these days, but one local junior golfer has combined his love for the sport with his passion to change lives.
"Changing one person at a time," explains Rafe Cochran. "One family at a time, one village at a time."
Cochran has been doing that since he was just 9 years old. since he was inspired to help after a visit to the Food for the Poor headquarters.
"Seeing the before and after photos of the little kids starving (and) malnourished," recalls Cochran, "And how their lives were affected and changed by Food for the Poor, and how fortunate we all are, I just felt like I needed to help."
Cochran started by asking for pledges on his golf tournament holes, raising 18-thousand dollars to build three homes in Haiti. Since then he's established a yearly golf tournament, and has raised over 200-thousand dollars to build numerous homes in Haiti and two schools in Jamaica. He has traveled to help to paint the buildings, and to witness the impact on the young student's lives first hand.
"They were telling me they wanted to be lawyers, police officers, even teachers," says Cochran. "And how their dreams were (in many ways) the same as the dreams of the children in the United States. They all had the same dreams and goals, and I just want to give everyone the same opportunity."
"When you see your child perform something like this that really came straight from them," explains Rafe's father Jay with a smile. "It'll bring tears to your eyes. We're obviously very proud parents,"
And Rafe's mission is far from over. The 4th annual Rafe Cochran Golf Classic is this Saturday at Banyan Cay Resort and Golf in West Palm Beach, as he continues to live out the motto he came up with when he was only 9 years old, "You're never too young to take action ..and make a difference".
"To see them, hug them and embrace them," explains Cochran. "And be able to really learn about who they are, and to know that you were able to change their lives is an incredible experience."
