Promotion of sports as a contribution to personal and community development
The annual report (April 2008 - March 2009) of the project «Tumaini la Vijana» (Hope for the Youth) states that the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Campaigns could be broadend during this period.
In close co-operation with the NGO Help Mission Development Services (HMDS), the Kenyan Government and 12 Youth Polytechnics (YPs), located in Rift Valley province, the project provides sustainable aid to the schools and creates study opportunities for about 1500 adolescents.
Facilitation of sports infrastructure in the YPs made it possible for HMDS to organize four different activities with the aim of bringing together youth in urban and rural areas through sports and counseling “Youth sports days” with powerful themes like: Change starts with you……! The events took place at Mwariki estate, Subukia Centre, Nakuru Municipality and Mogotio. The one which was held at Mogotio brought all the youth of twelve YPs together with those from the surrounding community. Guidance and counseling sessions from HMDS Director, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Officials and the local administration crowned all the days. All events ranging from Volleyball, Football, Netball, for both boys and girls went on smoothly as planned. The sharing between rural and urban youth was great and deserves encouragement in the future.
They say, “All work without play, makes Jack a dull boy”. Dull boys / girls cannot be enterprising. The aim of this activity therefore was to promote sports as a contribution to personal and community development.
Through this activity and with facilitation from CO-OPERAID, HMDS assisted all 12 YPs through provision of equipment and development of sports infrastructure for boys and girls and included Footballs, Volleyballs, Netballs, ballspumbs, nets and whistles. Prior to distribution, all the 12 YPs had no such facilities. The impact has been great and sports lovers among the students smile when sports time draws near. (see page 17 - 20 of the report)
“Tumaini La Vijana” project recognizes the reality that youth are the most vulnerable group to HIV/AIDS and undertook deliberate efforts to reach out to the youth in their respective YPs and communities. With support from CO-OPERAID, HMDS organized 36 lessons in all 12 YPs to discuss AIDS transmission and prevention, and opportunistic infections. The exercise went well in all the YPs with very high attendance and participation levels. Ministry of health officials and professional collaborators were on hand to facilitate the exercise.
Outside the YP institutions, HMDS working with line collaborators carried out public community HIV/AIDS awareness creation campaigns in Mogotio and Kabimoi project communities. 930 residents attended the occasion and up to 30 impoverished families of PLWHAs– comprising 150 people – benefited from the activity through food provisions.
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