Not Just Soccer for Youth/Coaches in Mozambique

One of the keys to an expansion phase of the program lies in the ability to increase coverage without compromising the quality of services offered. 2009 was characterized by increased deployment in the districts in Zambezia Province and the opening in Nampula Province.

In Zambezia, after advancing contacts with local authorities, starting in the month of July, new trainings began and equipped 125 new volunteers in the districts of Ile and Alto Molocue.

Meanwhile, at the end of the month of May the results of the baseline and situational analysios of the districts in Nampula Province, led to the installation of an office and leading to a permanent presence in the district of Malema. The choice was made based on the results of a comparative study of three districts (Malema, Ribaue and Murrupula) showed that in Malema a low youth participation in sports programs.

This process of expansion to the provinces made the FLM face challenges at various levels, which led to a reflection and the development of new implementation strategies in an attempt to balance the increased number of participants (occupations and children) and the requirement to strengthen presence in the territory with activities that ensure the quality and impact sought.

The office that was clearly more affected and subject to change last year was that of Gurue, the biggest challenges were to suggest about the ability to handle the growing number of participants from the local team of the need for the involvement of the occupations a higher level with the prospect of continuing activities, focusing on the feeling and appearance even about the need to monitor the activities of a point of view "quality".

From the 22nd to the 24th of November, the President of the Foundation, Maria de Lurdes Mutola, along with the Royal Ambassador of the Netherlands in Mozambique, Frans Bijvoet, visited the project locations of Malema, Gurue Makuaro and to see and feel the impact that this program makes in these communities. The two also used the opportunity of their visit to inaugurate the new office in Malema, financed by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Mozambique in front of more than 2,000 people.

A central objective was to make contact with traditional leaders in the areas of Malema and Gurue. Traditional leaders generally have a large impact on soceital norms, and their lobby could have a positive impact on the participation of girls in areas where they work as lords. The President held direct meetings with traditional leaders to address issues of sport, inclusion and issues related to sport in general.