I am super excited to begin blogging and eventually sharing my experiences from my travels this summer. I am new to blogging so please keep that in mind when reading this!
We are so fortunate that we come from a peaceful and developed country. There are no major wars or conflicts going on in our backyard. There have been no civil wars in my lifetime and I have not had to experience any form of poverty. This is not the case in Uganda.
Over the years the Gulu district in Uganda has seen much blood shed and violent attacks from Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army(LRA). Employing terrible raid tactics the LRA has taken many of Gulu’s young boys and forced them to become child soldiers. Since 2007 relative peace has returned to Gulu along with many former displaced children and families.
Gainline Africa promotes the values of the sport we love by working in rugby communities at home and abroad. At home, we raise awareness and involvement through various initiatives that educate and engage Canadians about the issues our partners face. Abroad, we provide local community leaders and high school teachers with the tools they need to deliver after-school rugby programs to youth who have faced extreme hardships.
Our sustainable rugby community club model incorporates sport, space and play as tools for addressing a variety of critical development areas, such as:
1. EDUCATION & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Gainline Africa’s programs foster the physical, cognitive and social development of youth, teaching them valuable life skills through role models in their community.
2. HEALTH PROMOTION & DISEASE PREVENTION
The structure of Gainline Africa’s programs effectively, and non intrusively, educates youth and their families about relevant health and disease prevention issues. (i.e HIV and AIDS, malaria, sanitation, immunization)
3. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP & PARTICIPATION
In order to create sustainable change and a lasting impact, Gainline Africa looks to build the capacity of rugby communities, not replace it. We work in partnership with local organizations and community leaders to build infrastructure through local engagement and leadership.
4. CONFLICT RESOLUTION & PEACE BUILDING
Our rugby programs assist in teaching conflict resolution and peace building skills to youth exposed to war and violence. Regular participation in physical activities influenced by positive leaders and cooperative teammates facilitates healing and re-bonding of communities and reintegration of those affected by war.
I will be spending 2.5 weeks in June building up the rugby program and community in Uganda. Below you will find a link to the Gainline Africa website as well as a fundraising link if you would like to sponsor me and support this great organization.
Gainline Africa Website: http://www.gainlineafrica.org/
Fundraising Link: http://raiseathon.ca/gainlineafrica/profile.php?id=6nidet2
Cheers!
-Steph
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