SIA and EDUSPORT were the very first NGO to be set up in Zambia, in 1999, and they work together in many neighbourhoods in Zambia to deliver life skills and important values into the community in an attempt to tackle some of the biggest problems the country faces. These problems include a threateningly high HIV and AIDS rate as well as child abuse, gender inequality, poverty and crime. They choose to deliver their message through sport which is where the Wallace group has been able to help. By sending out university students to get involved with coaching sports sessions and raising awareness for the projects, students from universities in the UK have been getting involved at the base level in the local communities to try and make a difference. The perfect day foundation and Friends of EDUSPORT are organisations set up to continue raising awareness of the projects, organise fundraising and keep all those involved, past and present, up to date and in the know.
It is difficult to fully comprehend just how far reaching these organisations are. These organisations don’t just coach sport to kids, their goal is to tackle each level of the community to empower and develop all members to be able to achieve a better life. They rely on volunteers from the local community who run the sports sessions, these are affectionately known as peer leaders. They range from 15-26 years old and are loved and respected in the communities and schools in which they work. They kindly take all the UK students under their wings and show them the ropes when it comes to delivering their sessions and work hard all year round to ensure each child has time to play and learn together. They also take regular life skills sessions and youth group meetings to discuss any issues young people face out here. Most of the peer leaders are hoping to further their own education and the organisations can sponsor them through further education.
EDUSPORT’s community initiative ensures that new playing fields and pitches are built with help from construction and engineering students from the UK. They also implement the power sport initiative which sees goats given to those who cannot afford to go to school so they can start a small trade from the animals to be able to fund their own way to education. There is also the ‘go sister’ programme which focuses specifically on the ‘girl child’ to tackle inequality, unprotected and underage sex and sexual abuse. As you can see they really do aim to open all avenues for the community to create role models, safe sports facilities, education, empowerment and sports coaching. The work they do is truly inspirational and makes a difference to thousands of lives.
The achievements of these two great organisations has not been without challenges however. Zambia is a very poor country and the infrastructure for development is just not good enough. The projects lack funding for administration which is often forgotten as any available funding goes straight on equipment and facilities for the children. The sheer level of involvement in the community is a huge drain on their very limited resources and the demand for peer leaders and equipment is always too high. Teaching materials, communication and up to date resources are lacking and so difficult to get hold of and install in Zambia. Regardless they hope to continue to tackle these challenges by raising the profile of the projects and hopefully securing funding and sponsorship internationally, especially in the UK through the Wallace group.
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