Using the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS

As one of VAP’s pioneer program, SKILLZ Kenya has been growing by leaps and bounds. The program which is split into two curricular: Skillz Mabeste (targeting primary school) and Skillz Mtaani (targeting secondary school) participants uses football as a catalyst to fight HIV. Despite being coiled with other supplementary periodical community events including Kick’N’ Test  VCT community football tournaments, ‘Make The Cut activities’ that promotes voluntary medical male circumcision, Skillz football League and distribution of condoms and HIV oral self-testing kits, plans are underway to develop grassroots community HIV awareness seminars with other non-sports organizations for learning and networking purposes amongst other things.So far the program has graduated over 18,620 youth with HIV awareness information,455 adaolescent boys have gone through voluntary medical male circumcision,9,570 adolescent youth and community members have been tested on HIV and over 102,000 condoms have been distributed in various communities around Nairobi.

The August school holiday came in handy as preparations to expedite the promotion of voluntary medical male circumcision was at the top gear. Armed with ‘Make The Cut’ activities Skillz coaches were scattered in different parts on Nairobi reaching out to adolescent boys from different community clubs. Discussions and activities surrounding the promotion of voluntary medical male circumcision included adolescent girls who were very key in influencing their male counterparts to go for voluntary medical male circumcision. Participants were referred to Edarp clinic or any nearby clinic for circumcision services. “I have learnt more information about HIV and the advantages of getting circumcised which reduces the chances of HIV by 70%. With this holiday period I will go for circumcision services as I also inform my friends.” Said 15 years old Vincent from Kaloleni sportive.

Meet Coach Chebet

24 year old Chebet joined VAP as a volunteer coach while studying project management at Kenya Institute of Professional Studies. Her passion in serving the community started while she was still in primary school serving in different capacity that included being involved in girl guiding activities. After going through the training of trainers’ course, she became fully certified as ‘SKILLZ’ coach, an HIV community ambassador. Through her unwavering dedication, Chebet has raised to the ranks of ‘Master Coach’ a senior coach with skills to teach back. “Am totally proud of my work and giving back to the society I what I cherish most.”Said Chebet.