Football Healthy Outlet

One of the challenges in war torn regions is to find interesting and constructive activities for young people who are often traumatised and who do not have access to regular, structured education.

Tom Fred Obonyo, a RESPECT co-ordinator in Northern Uganda, has been instrumental in establishing six youth groups with the aim of finding a way of occupying the time of otherwise disengaged young people.

Tom saya the groups are an excellent way of preventing the disenchantment that goes with inactivity. He believes they help steer young boys and girls away from simply spending time sitting around and at times even drinking the local beers.

The groups have formed a six club football league, which is providing a healthy outlet of energy in an area where education is often not an option as children are forced to drop out because of a lack of funds.

A further challenge is finding even the most basic equipment needed to start up these groups. Tom hopes that with just a few good quality footballs - and perhaps some kits and boots - the clubs can provide a constructive and uplifting use of the local youth's time.

Marc Schaeffer, co-ordinator of RESPECT International, hopes by raising awareness of such efforts that donors of equipment can be found. He points to the work of charities like "Right to Play" at www.righttoplay.com which helps refugee communities to access sports equipment.

Marc has also assisted in collecting books for a technical school, covering subjects like carpentry, joinery and brick work which should help provide vital practical skills to students who would otherwise lack access to education.

The first vocational school in Agoro will, Tom hopes, be up and running by next year but he points out that although progress has been made they still hope to collect more of the equipment necessary to continue the progress started with the youth groups.

Tom believes the groups are useful at providing an energetic and healthy distraction and some practical skills. But he also sees the groups as an opportunity to help communities raise awareness of important social issues such as HIV/AIDS.

It seems with this game of football, everyone can be a winner.