BUTTERFLY SPORT – A PROJECT TO BRING ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE
It is our belief that involving school children and youths in sporting activities will help to prevent many of the social issues caused as a result of extreme poverty and the HIV pandemic in Zambia. During Public Holidays the social problems, which include under-age drinking, unprotected sex and teenage pregnancies, increase.
‘The butterfly is a symbol of endurance, change, hope and life.’
The aim
- to create awareness of the dangers of HIV
- to reduce the number of new cases of HIV
- to promote safe sex through the use of condoms
- to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies
- to create awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse
- to promote gender equality
- to bring communities together
- to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
We have developed football and netball programmes for school children and youths. Africa’s biggest sport, virtually every youth aspires to football. Girls are increasing getting involved and we are now supporting teams in other areas of Kazungula. Among these are Mukuni, Musokotwane, Sekute and Nyawa Chiefdom.
In October 2018 we held the football tournament in Mukuni Village. Prior to this eight rural clubs from the Chiefdom competed for the finals. The footballers promoted the use of condoms, which are provided free from the Ministry of Health. From early in the morning until sunset young people gathered on Mukuni football ground and watched the teams play. A second successful tournament was held over Christmas at Singwamba. Since then we have continued to engage both boys and girls in under-seventeen teams.
