Sports sessions with children
Trip Start
Feb 02, 2010
1
226
259
Trip End
Aug 18, 2010
Monze, Southern, Zambia
Saturday, June 12, 2010
BSI assigns the schools and compounds we will attend every morning of the week. Schools and compounds are usually a 15- to 60-minute walk from our home. Either Derrick and/or Chembe, both from BSI, attend sports sessions with us. The children are anywhere from 4 to 18 years old.
In general, schools and compounds are located in very poor areas. Many of the children walk barefoot and wear ragged clothes, since families can barely afford to buy clothes to their children. Many of the children also have limited access to appropriate family instruction and quality education. The lack of instruction and education, combined with the need for income and the large amount of spare time, often results in child work or even child prostitution or other illicit activities. Furthermore, HIV is a major treat to the children of Monze.
BSI fights the many treats to the children of Monze through sports sessions. The sports sessions not only fulfill time with a healthy activity, but also provide instruction about issues such as child rights, HIV and malaria prevention, personal hygiene, amongst others.
The sports sessions usually begin with a quick explanation about BSI. Then we explain the activities of the day, usually soccer and/or netball. Sometimes we play other sports if the children are too young. Before starting the activities, we warm up and stretch. The activities are usually divided in practicing technical skills and playing a game. After activities are over, we take a few minutes to chat with the children about child rights, HIV and malaria prevention, personal hygiene, amongst others. If translation to Tonga is needed, Derrick and/or Chembe help us. Even though English is widely spoken in Zambia, children only start learning English in the 5th grade.
The sports sessions have been very rewarding. I’m also having a lot of fun with the children of Monze. The children’s enthusiasm is contagious. I feel really privileged to volunteer with BSI and I clap my hands for the contribution BSI has been giving to the children of Monze.
