Sport en Commun

Project supported by YARID

Established in 2007 by some young Congolese refugees living in Uganda, Young African Refugees for Integral Development (YARID) is an NGO registered and located in Kampala. YARID brings together urban refugees using such means as sport, english courses and vocational training so as to cope with social and economic challenges.

YARID aims at supporting 5,000 children and young adults in Kyaka II by catering to their basic needs regarding health care thanks to awareness campaigns centred on sport managed by the community. The objective is to build the beneficiaries' capacity to protect themselves and their knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, to improve their well-being and ward off COVID-19.

Context

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a critical pressure on the communities throughout Uganda, and especially in the refugee camps. Inactivity has worsened the harsh living conditions the populations are experiencing and has triggered some negative repercussions on their social life. According to a UNESCO study, about 65 % of the households have reported an increase of sexual violence, teenage pregnancies and child marriages in their communities. The number of child marriages and teenage pregnancies has considerably increased, and the population is exposed to an increased risk of physical and mental health problems.

In this respect, YARID has implemented this support programme centred on sport in view of assisting the refugee populations in Kayak II in parallel with other existent interventions.

Objectives

Improving the health and well-being of child refugees in the host community in Kyaka II refugee camp
Building the beneficiaries’ capacity in preventing the spread COVID-19 and in responding to it
Building the beneficiaries’ knowledge on sexual reproductive health
Improving the beneficiaries’ resilience on mental health
Increasing the beneficiaries’ participation in sport

Activities

Awareness campaigns shall be discussed on three key modules: (i) protection from COVID-19 and model practices regarding hygiene; (ii) sexual reproductive health; (iii) support in mental and psychosocial health
Training for the coaches centred on leadership and on the competences necessary to educate and use sport to inspire the girls and boys
Organisation and implementation of sporting activities to facilitate workshops and discussions centred on health and promoting inclusion and equality
Sporting sessions and brainstorming contests between sports groups to promote good health via sport

Impacts

10 community sporting coaches (half women and half men) shall be trained to organise and implement sporting activities, facilitate workshops and discussions centred on health, identify the children at risk and promoting inclusion and equality
5,000 children aged 3 to 19, about 3,000 of whom being young girls shall take part in sporting sessions and in awareness campaigns on health, including in workshops and discussions
250 youngsters (girls and boys) with reduced mobility shall be impacted with this project