Sensitizing slum children to the benefits of sport

Uganda has been faced with a host of challenges in recent years.  In 2015, a cholera outbreak affected the slums of Kisenyi and Katwe in Kampala, killing dozens of children. These diseases are often caused by a lack of adequate sanitation and poor hygiene. In Kampala, one in four children does not have access to drinking water or basic sanitation facilities. The Covid-19 epidemic subsequently had devastating effects on people. In the slums of Kampala, the lockdown measures and school closures seriously affected the mental health of children, exposing them to high levels of stress and depression. Sport can act as a powerful tool to counter these challenges. It can serve to raise health awareness, prevent physical and mental illness, promote access to quality education, strengthen community solidarity, and promote gender equality.
 

The BUREF program aims to help vulnerable children in the slums of Uganda recover from the effects of the pandemic and lockdown measures. To do so, the project combines different activities, including training, sports leagues, workshops, as well as opportunities for education and personal development. It benefits 1,250 boys and girls living in the slums of Kampala.
 

• Better educational and inclusive prospects for African youth through sport;
• Training for coaches and sports educators in how to use sport as a vehicle to raise awareness of good hygiene and sanitation behavior;
• The beneficiaries are made aware of the benefits of the regular practice of sport, especially on mental health issues.