Kenya AIDS NGOs Consortium (KANCO) partnered with Medina Palm Watamu luxury residence with UK based football clubs in running a high level football coaching and HIV/AIDS awareness training course at Watamu in Malindi district.
The program which was launched on Wednesday attracted 30 youths from Uganda, Kenya,Tanzania and Rwanda who will serve as ambassadors through football games to other youths in their communities in their respective countries in HIV/AIDS awareness.
According to KANCO program Director Jane Mwangi, the program will not only help to enhance participants coaching skills but they will also teach them how to develop a curriculum and encourage community involvement in HIV/AIDS programs.
“The 30 youths will spend the week in Watamu so that they can develop their skills in football coaching, leadership and understand HIV prevention with football and HIV experts. At the end of the program they will be equipped with all skills and make use of football games to pass the information to youths in their countries through football to stop spread of Aids,’ she remarked.
She said international football coaches training the youths are from UK-based Brighton and Hove Albion football clubs charity arms, Albion in the community, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and tackle Africa.
Mwangi added that main role of the coaches will be to demonstrate to the youths how to link HIV training and football coaching as well as supporting the participants in their development towards football games.
“We all know that football is all about discipline, commitment, openness and through football youths can develop skills and use it to embrace discipline. By so doing youths will be able to talk about their health issues, encourage them to speak out and to be able to take charge of their lives just like they are in control when playing football,” added Mwangi.
She said it is easy to reach all young people through football and develop their confidence, skills, and understanding of HIV.
The program is expected to end on Friday before youths depart to their respective countries equipped with skill and knowledge to pass the same message to their fellows in a bid of stopping spread of HIV Aids in Africa.
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