Chelsea's Buchanan to help single mums in Canada

Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan grew up "seeing the hardships and suffering" in a single-parent household and now wants to help others in the same position.

The 30-year-old is one of 14 female footballers from across the world who have been selected by Fifa to launch a social impact programme.

"My mum is my rock and stone. I grew up with six other sisters, seeing the hardships and suffering in ways. I think football was always my escape from reality," Buchanan told BBC Sport.

"It was chaotic raising seven girls on her own. It wasn't flashy, you didn't get the best of things. It was difficult for my mum.

"She was from Jamaica and didn't have a higher education so it was hard for her to find a job. We were on welfare money and were part of the government housing.

"Not many people come out of that area in a good light. What was special about football was that it didn't make me go down a bad path.

"That's really why I want to help single mums. We often didn't have electricity and water. I was battling things that many didn't know. Football was my safe haven."

Fifa are funding an initial 25,000 US dollars (£18,929) per player, with further professional support and resources provided, and external investment.

Buchanan had to pitch her project to experts - which is a foundation to help single mums and their daughters take part in football more easily.

Her foundation, which is set to launch in January and hold its first camp in April, will provide grants for transportation, registration fees and kits, as well as offering free tickets to Canada national team matches and events.

Buchanan, who was born in Toronto and has gone on to make over 150 appearances for Canada, is the youngest of her six siblings.

She took part in three months of training with Fifa and external experts in business to build her foundation and is currently discussing next steps with sponsors.

A key aim of the foundation is to help financially so single mums don't have to feel uncomfortable asking for lifts or money to cover football costs.

"We had to find a way to get to matches and training every day. My mum found it difficult because she knew she couldn't provide those sorts of things," added Buchanan.

"Stepping out of your comfort zone for the best of the family - she did that. She really believed I would make it and she saw the passion in me. She hustled and did what she could to get me on that field.

"I want kids to be able to go to football matches. All my team-mates used to go to games and I couldn't get tickets. I had to pretend I watched them.

"I feel like I've always been involved in my community. It really stems from my upbringing and background and where I'm from. I think that's my drive and motivation."

The programme has been led by Fifa's chief women's football officer Sarai Bareman and aided by chief football officer Jill Ellis.

Among the 14 players chosen to join are Manchester City and Jamaica striker Khadija Shaw and England and Arsenal forward Alessia Russo.

There are also retired players involved, including former French international Laura Georges, who is creating a leadership programme for women.

Each player's project is different with some focusing on antericior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury education and how to stay in football after retirement.

The 14 players making up the programme include:

Shaw's initial idea - a unique training programme - has been adapted to help aid the recovery process in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa caused widespread destruction in the country's rural communities this month.

"What we tried to do was look at players from different regions and areas. We were very intentional on our selection. We have global representation," Ellis told BBC Sport.

"We also had a philanthropist in the room to listen to their pitches and experts who had created their own initiatives and had invested in women's sport.

"One of those added additional funds and resources. What we continue to fund is their coaching so we don't just get them ready then leave them there.

"It's a continued process to make sure their projects get off the ground and have sustainability. That was important to us.

"It is one of the most rewarding things I have been a part of. It's not just about running around the pitch kicking a ball, there's so much more."

Fifa's intention is to launch the programme annually, taking on a new set of players each time.

"We want this group to have a lot of coaching and care and get them up on their feet before we take on another group," added Ellis.

"But my dream for this is that players want to apply to get into it. It will be something that provides them with things more purposeful than just on the pitch."