Media Centre for Volunteer in Ghana

Ndalumba Kapati- Thank you so much everyone!

Christine Siamukole, who is a 22 year old Zambian, developed 4 girls' soccer teams a year ago with the help of her brother, brother in law and neighbour who comes coaching with her baby on her back. She receives a small salary for her to coordinate a league and tournaments for the teams, train her coaches and implement life skills workshops. Christine also initiated the idea of developing an income generating project such as a chicken run, so they don't have to solely rely on donations for their equipment.

So after our meeting with the coaches, we head off to the field. The girls and boys teams form two long lines as they have to share 2 balls for over 40 kids. The staff and coaches here have many challenges to face. The girls have to walk 5 kilometres to get to practice, which means they have to persuade their caretakers to relieve them of their housework responsibilities. They all play in their bare feet with long skirts on a hard dirt field covered with holes, rocks and thorns. Thus balls don't last long here! Girls in Zambia are also at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS at a rate 4 times higher than boys which is partly due to traditional cultural myths. For instance, witch doctors will tell men that having sex with a young virgin will cure their positive HIV status. While Zambia has been sensitizing communities of the dangers and consequences of this myth, such as increasing the spread of HIV and sexual abuse, sadly girls are still at risk in rural areas. To add to this list, many families can't afford the school fees to send all their children to school, so many girls are married off early.

My trip here in Zambia is sadly coming to an end, for now…I want to thank all the people who have generously donated money, equipment, support and care packages to help me experience this beautiful country. And of course, I want to humbly thank Francis, Christine and all the BSI staff for all the invaluable lessons, knowledge, laughs, and innovative ideas they have shared with me. Rural programs have less access to funding, yet Francis and BSI continue to create inspiring sports programming with 10 times the amount of children with very little resources.

I feel that this project is literally saving souls. In a country that faces unbearable hardship, playing soccer and involving children and youth particularly girls gives them a chance to forget about their struggles for an hour or so. Even more, being a part of a girl's soccer program means many girls could potentially have a much different future.