Sport isn't just an end to a means.
At the most fundamental level, it is the right of a child to engage in play and recreational activities. Physical activity is essential in the overall social, physical, mental, and psychological development of children. It is also during childhood that the mind is still open, free, imaginative, and learning, and yes, it is quite vulnerable. This leads me to the following discussion. Sport for development can play an essential role in the creation of a sustainable community and targeting youth is critical if this development is to be everlasting.
A look at sport for development through soccer:
Soccer is an integral part of many cultures from across the globe. Its universality connects people socially, physically, and mentally. This idea, the connections this sport makes, provides a structure and it is this structure that becomes the "glue" that holds together communities in need of support. Why not take this structure and apply to it a social theory that teaches the foundation for a new form of healthy living? Robert Chambers speaks truth- "In any given community, the motives and drive of the local people to improve their own lives are essential to the success of community development." The involvement of local people increases the sense of ownership and credibility and ensures a desire to sustain. Re-structuring a community at its roots, that is, giving power to the people, by the people, creates the ultimate means for success.
The bottoms up approach:
Since the middle of the 20th century, a series of African countries have been gaining their independence. Since this time, the idea of foreign 'aid' has also become popular and many Western countries have given millions to aid in their development. Despite this aid, there hasn't been much improvement and there is a lack of sustainability. Thus, the idea of a people's approach, that is a more comprehensive inclusion of local peoples in decision and action, has been brought to attention. It is critical that this approach target the youth- lets get real here- the success of our future lies within the hands of our youth. Providing support is critical and sharing knowledge, pivotal.
Can sport for development be effective in Africa?
Well, the answer is yes. In Sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 40% of the population is under the age of 15. Think of the power this population holds. Using soccer as a gateway to participation, especially with the involvement of such a young generation, significantly increases the likelihood that a shift in the tides of social and health reform can and will actually happen.
Nearly 65% of people newly infected with HIV/AIDS are living in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, sport for development, in Africa specifically, has been used to target this epidemic. Efforts have been focused on the sharing of information through sport and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention measures to minimize the risk of contracting the virus. Most sport based programs do not provide direct treatment but rather focus on using the game to mobilize at-risk groups and promote healthier standards of living, prevention, and education. The only way to prevent this disease is to educate- stop it before it gets the chance to infect. What would the result be? An AIDS free generation.
What has Grassroot Soccer done?
Grassroot Soccer has been operating in South Africa since 2006, and set up its African headquarters in Cape Town in 2008.
Following the successful design and implementation of the DeBeers Pilot Project in the Northern Cape in 2006, Grassroot Soccer ushered in 2007 by launching several community-based, football for development programs across South Africa. New sites were created across South Africa, including Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Gauteng Province, Bloemfontein, the Northern Cape and Limpopo Provinces.
GRS then created a similar Direct Model program in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Port Elizabeth has some of the highest HIV rates in South Africa, and GRS at the time was one of the only organizations there that was working in the HIV prevention area, making the site an ideal location for GRS programming.
GRS South Africa now implements three main programs across five sites in South Africa. These programs include SKILLZ Core (designed to target primary school students), Generation SKILLZ (designed to target secondary school students), and SKILLZ Street (a girls specific program designed for 13-16 year olds).
In February, 2005 Grassroot Soccer (GRS) established a flagship site in Lusaka, Zambia. As a bustling urban center, Lusaka faces the staggering challenges HIV poses to many large cities in southern Africa. At the end of 2005, UNICEF estimated the adult HIV prevalence rate in Zambia to be at 17%, or 1 in 6 adults infected, one of the highest infection rates in the world.
In the last four years, GRS has partnered with many local and international non-governmental organizations, private companies, and the government to implement its HIV Education and Life Skills curriculum. These include Africa Directions Community Center (AD), Barclays Bank, the Kalusha Bwalya Foundation, Breakthrough Sports Academy (BSA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Engen, the Ministry of Education, Project Concern International (PCI), Africare, and others.
Current projects include working with the Peer Education Team at Africa Directions, partnering with the Ministry of Education and Physical Education Teachers to deliver the GRS curriculum in Community and Government Schools, working with a group of promising young football players and coaches called PEP FC, and revitalizing the GRS programs in Mayukwayukwa and Maheba Refugee camps with the help of Breakthrough Sports Academy.
Grassroot Soccer Zambia has seen the graduation of over 23,165 youth through the GRS curriculum and indirectly exposed an additional 68,000 people to HIV prevention messages in Zambia.
Pretty amazing right? Want to support Grassroot Soccer and their mission? Please consider donating to my campaign by clicking here.