Tuesday, June 28, 2011

All Saints School- The positive impact of sports

Edusport and the IDEALS project students have been told of the difference they are making to the children in All Saints School in N’gombe.

Peer Leader, Susan, explained that Edusport have only just begun working with the school recently but they are already seeing a difference in the children attending the sessions.

As the sports session got under way with Jordan Kenny and Laura Dormans of the IDEALS project, the children were noticeably excited and eager to get involved in the activities.

The head teacher remarked that the children have become very enthusiastic about sport and look forward to going out with the students to the community playing fields.

He also said:
“Since the two students from the UK have been coming the children have been paying a lot more attention in their English lessons and seem more eager to learn.”

The benefits of such involvement in the N’gombe community is invaluable to the children and their health.
Nasi, an intern at Sport in Action, described how beneficial it is for the children to have a safe place to play.

“Children play a lot less now than when I was younger. It’s because sometimes it is not safe for them to be out on their own so their parents prefer them to stay indoors. But this means they don’t get a lot of exercise.”

Sessions like the ones Edusport and the IDEALS students have been delivering ensure that the local children have structured exercise and a safe place to play.

The Head Master was also pleased that the involvement of the IDEALS students had encouraged the children to learn English and pay more attention in class.

The positive impact Edusport and IDEALS have in communities is evident in the happiness and enthusiasm of the children at All Saints school in N’gombe.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Zambia Project 2011

The IDEALS Project Zambia is under way once again this summer with the arrival of the first group of students from the UK. The students, from the Wallace group of universities, arrived last Sunday and have settled well in to their placements around Lusaka.

After a lovely welcome and induction from Sport In Action and Edusport the group learned how to make their way around their placements and the local community. The truck ride through Lusaka got off to a bumpy start when the truck broke down with steam billowing from the engine. After some pushing and a bit of quick thinking the journey continued.


Each placement welcomed the students who met teachers, peer leaders and some of the children they will be working with. The second half of the week saw the students start coaching at their placements.

James Dickinson of St. Andrew’s University has been coaching football at Kalingalinga basic school:

“I’m loving it so far, the kids are amazing and so eager to learn. We’ve been working on their agility and fitness levels. The peer leaders have been showing us the ropes and helping us to deliver our sessions.”

The students are working with peer leaders from Sport in Action and Edusport who have experience of coaching in the communities. Their help and guidance has helped the students prepare the lessons and coaching sessions they are delivering.

Some of the students have also been teaching in local schools, Holly Smith of Stirling University helped teach an English lesson at Sylvia School in Kalingalinga:

“It was a bit daunting at first but once we got going it was nice to see the children enjoying themselves and learning something new.”

This will be the first full week of coaching and lessons for the students. All are looking forward to applying their skills to deliver lessons and experiencing life in Zambia.