Sport en Commun

Project supported by Shamas Rugby Foundation

Established in Nairobi, Kenya in 2011, Shamas Rugby Foundation (SRF) is an organisation working in the field of sport for development. SRF uses rugby and its values to promote the physical, mental and social well-being of disadvantaged boys and girls living in informal settlements and rural areas of Kenya.

“Jaribu Rugby" is a project run by Shamas Rugby Foundation based on the rules and pillars of rugby. The aim of this initiative is to introduce rugby coaching and life skills education to primary school boys and girls living in the urban slums of Nairobi, Kenya.

Context

In Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, more than 60% of the population lives in slums or informal settlements. 34% of this population lives below the poverty line, earning less than $2 a day (World Bank Macro Poverty Outlook, 2021). Most of these slums are overcrowded and highly polluted, making living conditions extremely difficult. Children and young people are the first to suffer from these conditions. Basic services such as electricity, running water, sewage and waste disposal, and access to health care are scarce or completely absent. Very few schools offer quality education, and there are few extra-curricular activities and recreational areas. Unemployment is a recurrent problem.

In this context, many young people are tempted by illegal activities such as drug abuse, delinquency or gang membership, which very quickly have a negative impact on their mental, social and physical development.

In view of all these conditions, the Shamas Rugby Foundation aims through this project to provide children and young people with the skills and knowledge necessary for their development.

Goals

To introduce rugby and life skills into the school environment by partnering with the Kenyan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sports
To introduce 1000 children aged 10-15 to rugby and its values
To enable participants to develop skills in a number of areas such as: self-awareness, resilience to peer pressure, conflict resolution, decision making, critical thinking, sexual and reproductive health
To give participants the opportunity to showcase their rugby talent and be selected for an academy
To build the capacity of sports teachers in partner schools to become rugby coaches and life skills facilitators

Activities

Organising rugby sessions in schools
Creation of life skills clubs
Organising life skills conferences
Holding rugby festivals
Setting up capacity building programmes

Impact/expected results

50 girls will improve their physical abilities and acceptance
500 boys and 500 girls enrolled in primary school will have better health and self-esteem
1000 children, girls and boys, will be better integrated into society
1000 young girls and boys will have a better knowledge of life skills concepts
Participants will have a good enough understanding of the concepts taught to apply them in their daily activities.
Participants will have a better understanding of the sport of rugby and its laws
Participants will have improved communication/public speaking skills