96,000
children from varying backgrounds including
Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs),
those living with HIV & AIDS, children
wit disabilities, working children and street
children participate in weekly Physical
Education (PE) and sports sessions in rural
and urban schools and communities. They
participate in sport and recreation activities
integrated with messages of HIV & AIDS,
drug and alcohol abuse prevention, gender
equity, child rights and other health and
life skills. Through sport participation
they learn the valuable life lessons of
teamwork, determination and respect for
rules.
Children
identified with potential leadership
qualities attend leadership clinics
where their leadership skills are
enhanced. This enables them to design
and deliver sport sessions with health
and life skills education to their
peers. This builds their confidence,
equipping them well for their future
careers. It also increases the levels
of understanding of HIV & AIDS
and other health issues amongst participating
children as they are more likely to
listen to their peers in a fun environment.
“Sport
makes me smile especially during play.
It is this time that I find the greatest
joy in me. Sport is the greatest gift
I have and will always have. Thank
you to my school and Sport In Action.”
(Ruth)
Through
this program we also use sport as a tool
to mobilise children’s parents and
other duty bearers to participate in discussion
forums. Within this arena parents and stakeholders
who have inadequate understanding of the
advantages of sport participation, HIV &
AIDS prevention and child rights, to name
just a few issues, through discussion and
debate, gain knowledge in these areas. This
contributes to greater participation of
children in our activities and to creating
child-friendly homes. It also helps breakdown
misplaced social stigma on the roles and
abilities of girls and children with disabilities,
thereby enabling these vulnerable children
to life fulfilled and joyful lives in their
communities.
‘ON
THE GROUND’ STORY
Ruth
Lubuli is a 12 year old girl in Grade
4 at Twafwane Community School in
Kabwe. After her parents died Ruth
went to live with her aunt, who makes
her sell scones on the street near
drinking bars, often until very late
at night. Life has not been easy for
Ruth who rushes to and from school
in the afternoons so that she still
receives an education, despite working
so many hours on the street. Ruth
is an active participant in the Sport
In Action school sports activities
and is happiest when she scores! She
says that, “Sport makes me smile
especially during play. It is this
time that I find the greatest joy
in me. Sport is the greatest gift
I have and will always have. Thank
you to my school and Sport In Action.”
“Sport
makes me smile especially during play.
It is this time that I find the greatest
joy in me. Sport is the greatest gift
I have and will always have. Thank
you to my school and Sport In Action.”
