Football For Development
Explore our diverse range of programs and projects designed to ignite change and drive impact.
why
Football For Development
Football is the leading grassroots sport in many Kampala slums, serving as a powerful unifying force embraced by both young and old. Recognizing its influence, YSU has adopted football as a strategic tool to deliver vital community development messages. Currently, we implement two flagship initiatives: Football 4 WASH, which promotes hygiene and sanitation practices, and Girls’ Football, which advances gender equality and empowers young women through sport.
OUR CONTRIBUTION
Football For Development Programs & Projects
Football For WASH
In our Football 4 WASH program, we use the power of football to influence behavior in the field of water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH) among school going boys and girls. YSU has formed WASH clubs in schools around Kitintale and Naguru slums and teachers are appointed as Patrons of these clubs. These WASH clubs carryout bi-weekly football and hygiene activities to spread the WASH messages. Slums are characterized by shortages in clean water, poor hygiene, poor garbage disposal and lack of toilets/ pit latrines. YSU therefore is harnessing the communities’ love for football to spread the WASH messages and we believe we can bring positive change to the slums.
Girl’s Football
Women’s football is still frowned up in most communities in Uganda and there are a few football clubs that embrace females, yet the sport is so powerful that it can be used to sensitize the communities about gender equality, women involvement and impact and also boost the girl child’s self-esteem. YSU having realized that, decided to use it as a tool to empower the girls in the slums. Most of these girls had dropped out of school due to a lack of funds, early marriages or teenage pregnancies. We therefore formed a girls’ team and each of the girls on the team is given an extra skill in either hairdressing or tailoring. These same girls go out as coaches to help empower other girls through football. These are the mothers of the future and as they say, a woman trained, is a nation trained.
The Play Right Project
YSU, with the funding received from the French Development Agency is also implementing the Play Right Project. The purpose of the project is to promote the rights of 1558 children and young people aged 6–23 years in the slums of Makindye and Nakawa 2 Divisions, Kampala. Through this project, YSU has trained 60 teachers and 30 coaches to use modified football games to teach children basic life skills important in the prevent of violence. We also carry out community sensitization, Sanitary towel distribution, Community football tournaments, identify junior leaders, and strengthen rights clubs in schools. The project also aims to have an influence on the health and psychosocial wellbeing of children and young people (51% of girls and 6% of children with disabilities).
MTN Naguru Social Sports School
YSU with the support from Xcalibur Foundation and Real Madrid Foundation, is implementing the first Social Sports School in Uganda in the division of Nakawa, in Kampala, targeting an initial group of 160 children aged 5–16 from Naguru Katali Primary School.
Using the Real Madrid Foundation’s unique and pioneering education in values football methodology, “For a Real Education: Values and Sport,” school teachers, coaches and social workers have been trained to run football and social activities with children.
The children benefit from bi weekly sessions through which education in value and football training are delivered.
These activities enhance the life skills of children including respect, team spirit, equality, autonomy, health and motivation. The social worker through the social part of the project addresses issues of wellbeing, health as well as positive child development.