Sports for Development is a framework developed by the United Nations and is a key study that we have integrated to harness our child-focused sports programs. Our soccer academy is the first of many sporting clubs we hope to offer to vulnerable children within the community. For most children who live within the slum, a registered and ‘organised’ soccer academy is only afforded to the wealthy meaning that as a ‘lower class’ they don’t have the opportunity to train with qualified coaches. We believe that all children no matter their economic status are of value and worthy of the same rights to develop their sporting skills!
Training is held on Saturdays, for over 150 children, and both fruit and water are provided. We believe the lives of children can be changed through sports, the United Nations states that this is through 4 key areas; education, social inclusion, child protection, and empowerment. Children can also improve their health and develop social, educational, and leadership skills while playing and having fun.
Our soccer academy is fully registered through FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations) and free to children within the community, we have qualified and certified coaches (including a goalkeeping coach) who bring new skills to the children to develop their talents as well as improve their overall health and wellbeing. They also integrate valuable life skills, such as hard work, decision-making, problem-solving, and communication into training. Through healthy competition, we also teach the importance of teamwork and cooperation, balanced by good sportsmanship. Our Sports Academy is also a way for our organisation to build a relationship with children and their families within the community. We believe sport is a key way to involve the marginalised and vulnerable.
Through our sports programs we also offer;
- Medical support for children who are struggling and in prolonged pain.
- A Holiday Program held 3 days a week over the school holidays. This not only offers the opportunity to improve skills but also keeps the children busy, healthy, and active at a time when it can be easy for a child, specifically youth to become bored.
- Distribute scholastic materials at the beginning of each school term.
- We distribute awards at the beginning of each month to the 3 children who we believe have exemplified our 3 key goals “Love in Action, empowerment, and teamwork”. These awards are given to the 3 children who have not only worked hard in our soccer program but also, shown great care towards their teammates.
- Youth empowerment program where we encourage children and youth to take responsibility and action. We believe by educating them about certain topics and offering counselling and support, we can provide opportunities to improve their access to resources and create educational opportunities. Many children raised within Nakyulabe do not have a present or active father. Therefore, our coaches’ number one responsibility is to become “father figures’/’ mentors’ to the children who do not have a consistent father figure as a role model.
- We hold a Christmas party, the highlight of the year for many of our children. Where we distribute Christmas presents, performances, and enjoy a yummy buffet Christmas meal
- Emergency relief and support including distributing emergency hampers during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- Counselling and career guidance, we welcome the children to our office (we call this, ‘their safe place’) where our coaches can be available to mentor, counsel, and guide our children
- Parents meetings and counselling, by developing a relationship with families through sports we believe that we can support and empower families through a child protection perspective.
- Excursions throughout Uganda to friendly matches, academy tournaments, and an under/17’s league through FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Association).
- Our coaches, research, and network with coaches and headmasters throughout Kampala and organise possible scholarship opportunities available to our children.