HIV AIDS
Report from the Field:
Whizzkids United
by Lauren Kocher
During my Masters degree, I spent the Summer as an Intern for One to One Children’s Fund which was a fantastic way of becoming involved in the Development sector. Being a relatively small workforce, I was given the opportunity to work within all aspects of the organisation which allowed me to truly recognise that this is what I want to do with my life. Whilst with the Charity I learnt about their partner, WhizzKids United, a youth development and HIV prevention NGO based in Durban, South Africa, and although unfortunately I was leaving One to One Children's Fund I was able to move on to WhizzKids to further develop my skills and experience.
From the moment I began working for WhizzKids United in South Africa it was clear that the need for an organisation such as this is great, and having been here for 4 months it has become even more obvious where the problems lie.
The major issue for children in South Africa is education, and more specifically HIV-education. This is where WhizzKids United is aiming to change the future of those children, and from personal experience it seems to be working.
The use of football as a tool for social change is essential in gaining the appreciation and respect of children involved in WhizzKids United programmes. I have witnessed first-hand the Life Skills programmes being run in schools and it is clear that not only do children enjoy the football, but there is a real sense of trust and understanding when our Life Skills Trainers pause the football drills to explain the real reason for these classes. I recently co-facilitated focus groups which were aimed at assessing the impact the programmes have had, particularly on gender equity, there was a resounding sense from both the boys and the girls that most of the class’s behaviours and attitudes towards the opposite sex have changed for the better. This is a huge step forward, as it is clear from any evidence-based research, that gender equity and equality issues play a significant role in the spread of HIV throughout Africa.
Most of my time is spent working with our staff at the WhizzKids United Health Academy (teen clinic) in Edendale near Pietermaritzburg. For me this is the future for an organisation such as WhizzKids. Of course the Life Skills programmes in schools are an essential part of their adolescent development, but this needs to be backed up by a sustainable and safe place for those children to go repeatedly in order to ensure that not only their sexual health, but also their psychosocial health is treated effectively. The WhizzKids United Health Academy is a very welcoming environment and I understand why the children from the area are always there, not only for the football pitch and the mixed gender league, which is run every afternoon, but also for the services provided (such as HCT, TB Screening, counselling etc) because the staff treat them with warmth and respect.
Of course there have been challenges during my stay in South Africa, but I have learnt that change, and particularly a huge change like the one we are trying to implement, takes time. This is a difficult thing to deal with, particularly when coming from a fast-paced world back in London, but it is one I feel that it is essential to remember, especially when waiting two hours for a minibus taxi, ‘fast’ food, and of course any form of meeting or event to start on time! Bring on the next 4 months!
June 2011
WhizzKids United is the partner organisation implementing our Play Football for Life programme in Rustenburg, South Africa. Lauren has been working for WhizzKids United in Durban.
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see
this video on our Play Football for Life