Using the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS

Located at the boundary of Dandora, Umoja and Mowlem slum, KCC community ground played host to the Kick ‘N’ Test VCT football tournament during the Easter holidays. Divided into different sections, the field accommodated 34 teams of both boys and girls who not only came to showcase their tiki-taka football but also to showcase their HIV prevention skills and expertise. With the culture of Kick N Test being implemented, participating teams were not only getting points for winning or drawing matches, but also for participating in the Skillz Kenya activities, and visiting VCT tents to know their HIV status. Both fans and community members donated their extra off the field points to their respective teams that would eventually add up to their on field points. Male participants were also encouraged to go for VMMC through Make The Cut activities that was offered on the site.

Kick N Test Health Fever

Oblivious of their surroundings, the immediate communities witnessed a sprawling Kick N Test health effect from KCC grounds as they also benefited from the door- to -door free condom distribution.A good number of community members visited VCT tents at the football field while also being informed about voluntary medical male circumcision, both surgical and non-surgical and its advantages with interested individuals being referred to EDARP clinics one of VAP’s partnering health service institutions. “Thanks for taking care of us, I didn’t use to believe in condoms but from now onwards, I will be using condoms. “Said 19 years old, Mwaniki a mobile phone repairer from Mowlem community.

Condom Distribution Ambassadors

Rangers Boys football team from Dandora emerged the most active condom collectors and distributors during the tournament. Some of their team members joined VAP’s Mr. Condom in distributing condoms to the youth in the neighboring slum areas and estates, reaching out to various youth entertainment joints and matatu drivers along nearby roads while teaching them on proper condom use. The team also picked up condoms to distribute to their peers in their respective communities.

Battling for OFF field points

With many football match draws witnessed during the day the only survival channel to garner extra points to boost their on field points was the VCT tents. Staff from EDARP clinic were kept busy with testing kits and syringes providing health services to participants and teams who were streaming in the tents right from football matches. The overwhelming numbers of teams and community members forced EDARP staff to run out of testing equipments ending up making referrals to the unattended teams and members of the society. “Knowing my HIV status makes me to be more careful with my life. “Said 15 year old Tabitha from Mchezo Halisi football club

Condomizing Generation

Participants from Mcedo Girls football club having their share of condoms during the tournament.Mcedo emerged winners of the Most tested team trophy as well as the most active condom distributors amongst the girls team. Despite playing football and getting to know their HIV status, the team went home with a bunch of condoms to distribute to their respective peers and members of the society in their communities. As a matter of appreciating their HIV prevention awareness efforts, the next edition of Kick N Test VCT football tournament would either be staged at either  Mcedo’s or Ranger’s neighborhood.

Paper to Practice Study Survey

Kenyan teenagers want to be taught how to use contraceptives, including condoms, oral pills and injectables, as part of sexuality education in school and at home. Because they are already sexually active, they also want to know where to get these products so as to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases and prevent unwanted pregnancies. These are some of the findings of a study on teens aged between 15 and 17 in Homa Bay, Mombasa and Nairobi counties. Researchers from the Guttmacher and African Population and Health Research Center interviewed 2,484 teenagers for the study, titled From Paper to Practice: Sexuality Education Policies and Their Implementation in Kenya.This publication appeared in one of the leading dailies in Kenya on 18-4-2017.

With the program focus being in schools, the first quarter of 2017 monitoring and evaluation meeting was held at VAP offices. The aim of the meeting was to evaluate and get updates from coaches regarding different programs taking place in various schools and community centres since the month of January. Led by master coaches and centre contact coaches, the meeting discussed the challenges and successes that have been encountered throughout the program and came out with mitigation plans to counter the challenges experienced.The newly recruited coaches had an opportunity to talk about their first program experiences."Am so proud to have a hands on experience of teaching young people in schools what was taught to me some years back when i was in high school.I like the fact that am teaching youth of my previous Oasis High school about the dangers of HIV.Being there for them as a mentor and a coach of HIV is a priviledge to me and inspirational to my former schoolmates and teachers."Said 18 years old John.

Teachers, Coaches Meeting

Teachers from different informal schools and VAP coaches had a one day meeting at VAP offices to discuss about programs, challenges and success of the programs in their respective schools. Also top of the agenda was to plan and strategize how to organize the 3^rd edition of Wasichana Wacheze football league which is due to kick off in a month’s time. Based on the past Wasichana Wacheze football league which was managed by both teachers and VAP coaches, there has been a significant improvement and change in the lives of the participating girls as the tournament has been a platform and a safe space for girls to talk and discuss openly on issues affecting girl child.” Girls in my school can confidently talk about sexual reproductive issues and rights amongst themselves.” Said Teacher Jackline from Mercy Care Girl centre.