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Tanzania Street Kids Sports Volunteer Project

Be part of an exceptional volunteer project in Tanzania that has grown from supporting street kids and coaching sport at a centre in Mwanza to a much broader sports initiative, involving the wider community.

Background

With the help and support of volunteers this programme is able to bring sports and games to vulnerable children, or from disadvantaged backgrounds.  Due to its popularity in Tanzania and across Africa football is currently the main sport that is being coached to both boys and girls.  However, other sports are encouraged and we hope to develop these over time with the involvement of future volunteers.

A long-term aim of the project is to identify and nurture young talent and provide these children an opportunity to develop their skills and possibly be selected for scholarships to train or play at a professional level.  However, it is the more short-term benefits for all of the children who are actively involved in sport that are the main motivation for the programme.  The project was initially focussed on providing support, care, basic education and sports coaching to boys at a street kids’ centre in Mwanza.  Mwanza has a large number of children who are orphaned, or have run away from home and are living on the street.  The street children’s centre offers a refuge for them and the volunteers help with the provision of the activities there.

However, this project has evolved into a broader outreach initiative that benefits children from across the community, including street kids, vulnerable children and children from local schools.  Sport gets these children involved in activities that are more positive than those they may otherwise become caught up in, due to boredom, such as drugs, alcohol, underage sex and crime.  The importance of hard work to achieve goals and team spirit are values that the children learn, enabling them to become better players and members of the community.

There are obvious health implications as well in terms of fitness and exercise.  Team sports also offer a good forum for education and awareness about important issues, such as diseases, including HIV/AIDS.

Highlights