A Sport in Action volleyball team has had great success in coming third in the East Africa Cup.
The under 16 team of 5 girls and 4 boys travelled for three days to get to Tanzania where the tournament was held.
The team, who had only three weeks to prepare for the cup, gained their place despite changes to their usual playing habits.
Coach Tila explained that the team usually play outside, however adapting to playing indoors was no challenge for them since their basic skills are sound.
Markina, a team member for two years, is proud of what they achieved:
“When we got there I was nervous but also very excited, it was my first time at a tournament. I love playing with the team, it helps you to understand team work.”
The three day journey may have been long but Markina said that being with her team made it fun.
The team usually trains twice a week, offering training to both boys and girls in volleyball.
Markina said her favourite part of the experience was travelling and playing with her team.
The benefits of team work to both their success and the happiness of the team are evident.
The IDEALS students have been learning that there is not much for young people to do when they are not in school and it can be very easy for them to get in to trouble or bad situations. Being part of a sports team and active within their communities means the young people have something to keep them busy.
Sport is not only a way to keep fit and have an active lifestyle but learning to work as a team and having positive hobbies can really positively affect the lives of young people.
The volleyball team certainly have used such involvement in sport to their advantage- not only having a fun hobby, but showing their sporting prowess in tournaments.
The team also takes part in the Youth Challenge games, held once a month at the Olympic Youth Development Centre.
Coach Tila’s hope is that over the coming weeks they can start to develop a programme for games for children with disabilities.
If that team train as well and work as hard as the current team, volleyball tournaments all over Africa better watch out for the Sport in Action volleyball teams!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
IDEALS students meet with the UN
IDEALS team leaders Tom and Sarah and media student Gemma met with a representative from the United Nations in Zambia today.
The students discussed the work the IDEALS project carries out with Sport in Action and Edusport, while also learning where that work links in with the work and aims of the UN.
It was beneficial for the students to see what kind of work the UN are doing as a lot of their aims and goals are similar to that of the IDEALS project’s: those such as the empowerment of girls and women and combating HIV/AIDS.
The staff at the centre seemed keen to work with the IDEALS students, Sport in Action and Edusport. This will be a great opportunity for the students especially, giving them the chance to link in with an international organisation and add another level to their Zambian experience.
The benefits to both Sport in Action and Edusport could also be fruitful since the centre showed great interest in offering help and support in any way to both of the NGOs.
The students were interested to learn of the different programmes run by the UN centre- some of which work in the same communities as the students.
One of the most impressive projects was a computer literacy project which aims to equip pupils near school leaving age with sufficient computer skills to apply for jobs or university.
The computer area was packed with pupils practising their work- some were from Munali where two of the IDEALS students are placed. Others were in the library studying and browsing the books.
The level of involvement with young people from communities across Lusaka was impressive, something which the students respected greatly.
The relationship now established between the centre, IDEALS students, Sport in Action and Edusport should develop to be mutually beneficial to all parties. In turn, we hope it will lead to the further improvement of the projects’ abilities to positively impact on the lives of the children and communities they work with.
The students discussed the work the IDEALS project carries out with Sport in Action and Edusport, while also learning where that work links in with the work and aims of the UN.
It was beneficial for the students to see what kind of work the UN are doing as a lot of their aims and goals are similar to that of the IDEALS project’s: those such as the empowerment of girls and women and combating HIV/AIDS.
The staff at the centre seemed keen to work with the IDEALS students, Sport in Action and Edusport. This will be a great opportunity for the students especially, giving them the chance to link in with an international organisation and add another level to their Zambian experience.
The benefits to both Sport in Action and Edusport could also be fruitful since the centre showed great interest in offering help and support in any way to both of the NGOs.
The students were interested to learn of the different programmes run by the UN centre- some of which work in the same communities as the students.
One of the most impressive projects was a computer literacy project which aims to equip pupils near school leaving age with sufficient computer skills to apply for jobs or university.
The computer area was packed with pupils practising their work- some were from Munali where two of the IDEALS students are placed. Others were in the library studying and browsing the books.
The level of involvement with young people from communities across Lusaka was impressive, something which the students respected greatly.
The relationship now established between the centre, IDEALS students, Sport in Action and Edusport should develop to be mutually beneficial to all parties. In turn, we hope it will lead to the further improvement of the projects’ abilities to positively impact on the lives of the children and communities they work with.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Disability no barrier to sports
University Teaching Hospital Special School, Lusaka, has around 150 pupils who are also joined by some from the school for the deaf and hard of hearing. The school caters for pupils with a variety of disabilities ranging from mental to physical conditions. Teachers at the school have been happy to see improvements in their physical education programme with the involvement of volunteers.
Lilian, a teacher at the school, has noticed the positive changes in the pupils through participating in P.E lessons. Some of the children have shown particular developments in their physical, emotional and mental health.
“Some of the children get very frustrated in class but as soon as they come outside for P.E they are happy. When they see the students coming they run out of their lessons and shout ‘Teacher! It is time for P.E!’ ”
The children greeted the IDEALS volunteers with hugs and handshakes and were very excited about starting their lesson. What was immediately obvious was how all of the children were keen to get involved despite their disability. Every child was eager to take part and no one was left out.
Lilian also explained that the games the children play have been helping them cope with their disabilities. A pupil who was once unable to use his hands can now catch and hold a ball and join in with games. The combination of physiotherapy and encouragement to participate in sports has been instrumental in the boy’s increased use of his hands.
Some of the children had been having problems with anger- lashing out at their peers and teachers but since becoming active in their P.E lessons their actions have calmed. Through games and playing together the pupils have learned to act respectfully to each other and work together in games.
Ifiok Archibong, IDEALS student, enjoys helping at the school and has also noticed the effect on the children:
“Some of the children found it hard to join in with the games to begin with but they soon joined the group when they saw how much fun their friends were having. What’s good about the games we play is that all of the children can take part no matter what their disability is.”
Making the games inclusive has been an integral part of the P.E lessons as it is the children who struggled most to begin with who have shown the biggest improvements. Lilian named a number of children who never used to interact with the others and may have felt isolated but who now are the most enthusiastic about the P.E lessons.
What’s evident in the P.E class is that the children really enjoy the class and love spending time outside of the classroom with their peers. The grounds the children play on may not be the best but they don’t seem to mind as long as they get to participate with their peers and the volunteers.
Lilian, a teacher at the school, has noticed the positive changes in the pupils through participating in P.E lessons. Some of the children have shown particular developments in their physical, emotional and mental health.
“Some of the children get very frustrated in class but as soon as they come outside for P.E they are happy. When they see the students coming they run out of their lessons and shout ‘Teacher! It is time for P.E!’ ”
The children greeted the IDEALS volunteers with hugs and handshakes and were very excited about starting their lesson. What was immediately obvious was how all of the children were keen to get involved despite their disability. Every child was eager to take part and no one was left out.
Lilian also explained that the games the children play have been helping them cope with their disabilities. A pupil who was once unable to use his hands can now catch and hold a ball and join in with games. The combination of physiotherapy and encouragement to participate in sports has been instrumental in the boy’s increased use of his hands.
Some of the children had been having problems with anger- lashing out at their peers and teachers but since becoming active in their P.E lessons their actions have calmed. Through games and playing together the pupils have learned to act respectfully to each other and work together in games.
Ifiok Archibong, IDEALS student, enjoys helping at the school and has also noticed the effect on the children:
“Some of the children found it hard to join in with the games to begin with but they soon joined the group when they saw how much fun their friends were having. What’s good about the games we play is that all of the children can take part no matter what their disability is.”
Making the games inclusive has been an integral part of the P.E lessons as it is the children who struggled most to begin with who have shown the biggest improvements. Lilian named a number of children who never used to interact with the others and may have felt isolated but who now are the most enthusiastic about the P.E lessons.
What’s evident in the P.E class is that the children really enjoy the class and love spending time outside of the classroom with their peers. The grounds the children play on may not be the best but they don’t seem to mind as long as they get to participate with their peers and the volunteers.
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