Building Resilience Through Football (BUREF)

Context

Containment measures, in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19, has led to an increase and intensification of gender-based violence (GoU, 2021; Munir, 2021). Child abuse is also on the rise, as is child labour among children under 12, which has increased by 38% (HRW, 2021; Plan International, 2021). In the slums of Kampala, the loss of routine due to lockdowns and school closures has
affected children’s mental health, leading to stress and depression due to social isolation and lack of recreational opportunities. Lack of awareness of the pandemic and fear of the disease have led to increased anxiety and vulnerability (UNESCO, 2021; UNICEF, 2022).
In order to help these children, Watoto Wasoka through the BUREF initiative uses sport as a factor of resilience and psychosocial well-being.

Objectives

• Support the physical and mental well-being of 1,250 boys and girls through access to sports education and mental health
• Increase access to education by supporting 250 boys and girls with various scholarships and academic support
• Strengthen social cohesion and solidarity among young people through enriching social values such as respect and fair play, friendship and sportsmanship, inclusion and equality
• Promote gender equality by mobilising and empowering 625 girls to participate in project activities and football leagues

Activities

• Develop a manual of at least 15 football exercises around mental health, resilience and social cohesion through sport
•  Register 60 boys’ and girls’ teams through slum outreach and community engagement activities to improve acceptance and participation in planned sports activities
• Provide full year scholarships to 100 boys and girls through the Wasoka Young Leaders Awards (WYLA) programme and school leagues
•  Organise three girls’ football leagues in the slums with at least 600 girls participating

Impact/expected outcomes

• 120 community coaches will be trained and certified in mental health and mental wellness education and will support children’s communities
• 60 community teams will be registered and participate in organised slum leagues
• Over 250 boys and girls will be supported to access education through scholarships and other programmes
•  Academic support will enhance the positive impact on the personal development of children
• 600 girls will be enrolled and participate in various girls’ football opportunities throughout the project

Photo Credit: Watoto Wasoka