Changing lives
International Inspiration is using sport to engage children in HIV and AIDS education – crucial in a country where one in seven adults and more than one in 10 young women are living with HIV. It is also working with the Zambian Government to develop a new physical (PE) syllabus, which will lead to high-quality PE lessons for three million Zambian children, creating a lasting legacy.
Reasons to celebrate
- HIV and AIDS awareness-raising projects have involved 1.5 million young people and adults.
- 900 peer leaders and 500 teachers and coaches have been trained to deliver messages about healthy living and HIV through sports activities.
-18 radio clubs have been created to promote the benefits of PE and sport to a wider audience, and to share messages about HIV, malaria and substance abuse.
A whole community programme
International Inspiration is active in four provinces of Zambia, training teachers, leaders and community coaches to promote safe and healthy lifestyles through grassroots sporting activities to children age 4-14.
'Ever since I joined the International Inspiration project my life has changed. I can now teach and share my experience with my fellow peers. The project has boosted my self-esteem and confidence. Before the project, I could not stand in front of people to address them but now, I am even a role model to many youths.'
Joseph, Zambia
Turning on the radio
A sports-inspired radio advocacy campaign has inspired children to discuss sexual health. It has been a particularly successful way of engagement: poverty forces many children to drop out of school, but this programme has reached the wider community. Radio clubs, in which groups gather in local neighborhoods to listen together and discuss issues raised in broadcasts, are encouraging young people to absorb these messages and play it safe.
Case study
Tackling problems in school
Kabulonga Boys High School is one of 11 schools that International Inspiration has linked with schools in the UK. Pupils are using sport to raise awareness about each other's cultures and to tackle numeracy and literacy learning.
Teachers at Kabulonga chose gifted young leaders to work in after-school sports activities with 40 children struggling to read and write. Young leafers also gave children with physical disabilities the chance to play sport. Sport has provided a valuable incentive to learning and teachers have noticed a marked improvement in pupils' maths and literacy skills.
'International Inspiration has made me discover who I am. I was just one of those people who participated - but now I am able to plan and organise fesitvals.' Lorencio, young leader, Kabulonga Boys High School.
