Using the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS

53 young lads from different local communities gathered in a safe space to play ‘Make The Cut activities and later on have a candid discussion on issues surrounding voluntary medical male circumcision, (VMMC). Led by Skillz coaches, participants were taken through ‘Make The Cut’ football based activities that are coiled with circumcision messages. Make The Cut activities are tailor made to promote voluntary medical male circumcision targeting adolescent boys and young men. The team gathered together to have candid discussions on issues circumcision and its benefits towards preventing HIV.Also invited to provide more information on voluntary medical male circumcision were EDERP clinic representatives who have been VAP’s health service providers for a long time. A total of over 35 adolescent boys and young men were referred for VMMC services at the clinic.

Kicking Off VAP's Soccer Academy

Riding on the back of VAP’s new ‘Youth Empowerment Centre’ that’s currently underway, the month of February witnessed the launching of VAP’s soccer academy at VAP’s new facility which brought together 40 children both boys and girls from different neighboring schools and community centres that participated in the first training sessions conducted by VAP’s football coaches. The academy will serve as a safe space for the youth to: play, learn and grow as they acquire other side benefits that attached to life skills. The launch was boosted by football kits which included: balls, bibs, goal nets, whistles, first aid kits and football cones donated by uefa foundation. Football sessions and life skills will be conducted on weekends including school holidays as other health service providing tents will be pitched alongside to provide health services including: hiv voluntary counselling and testing and referrals to the general community.