Shoot to Score for 500 Children in Northern Kenya

Kenya, like the rest of the world, has been affected by the Covid19 pandemic. The number of cases is rising sharply and we are definitely on the upward climb. Marsabit has 3 confirmed cases now, but overall Kenya now has 16,643 cases (July 22, 2020), an increase of 13,654 cases since June 9, 2020 when there were 2,989 cases. The President announced an end to the lockdown of 3 Counties including Nairobi  on July 6, 2020, and allowed up to 100 worshippers to congregate for prayers in places like mosques and churches. The nighttime curfew will continue nationwide up to August 2020. 

In addition to this, Marsabit has faced another challenge. 29 people have been killed and 28 injured (as per our own count) in shootings in Marsabit County between March 13 and July 7, 2020. A few people have been arrested. Combined with the current Coronavirus crisis, it is presenting more challenges to our work, especially our ability to make physical field visits to communities. The situation was tense but things are much calmer now, though people still take precautions. 

With the donations we have received this year, we have so far managed to acquire balls for three school teams. We hope to acquire some more very soon. Schools have been closed until January 2021 due to the pandemic but school administrators are able to receive equipment at this point. 

There was a build of the game and each team prepared separately. The biggest trophy is that of being the most peaceful team on and off the pitch. Here in Gar Qarsa Primary school one elder stood out for us all he formed his own team mixing both girls and boys as is required. He coached them even when he has never watched a game of football leave alone playing. Elder Galm is the old generation who cursed when he saw girls lifting their legs but after working with HODI for 6 years now he is a Gender Equality Champion.

What we needed was to create a connection between the head and the heart; he accepted the change but we shared data and the different cases studies of how football is transforming lives and livelihoods. Also sharing why men and women have to be on the same page, seat under the same tree where decisions are made with social – economic and cultural benefits.  As men see the challenges faced by women in their lives and in their communities.

They know they have the ability to influence or change the status quo. Often, action starts on a small scale. Through the appointments they make, through their trust and respect for women and through the opportunities they make available or support. For Elder Galm it started with initiating the first ever mixed team through a collective effort and small little actions bringing to life an opportunity for girls and boys to be equal not just on the field but off the field too in real life. Elder Galm is a living legend and an example to be emulated as a champion of SDG Goal 5 through our shoot to score for gender equality.

Links:

• The HODI Website