Using the power of soccer to fight HIV/AIDS

FIFA GRANTS VAP

For the third time in a row, world football governing body FIFA through its Corporate Social Responsibility granted Vijana Amani Pamoja, (VAP) with funds to boost its HIV/AIDS intervention project that creates awareness of HIV/AIDS through a soccer themed curriculum. The FIFA funding to VAP came via a strategic alliance geared towards the Millennium Development Goals between streetfooballworld; www.streetfootballworld.org and FIFA.The two have been using football as an instrument for social development for many years in a variety of ways. “We as VAP feel very much honoured and privileged to secure FIFA funds again for the second year running. Through the second funding we were able to reach out to our goals and graduated the targeted number of 3,700 students who were equipped with HIV/AIDS information and were certified as HIV ambassadors. This funding creates more trust and believe from FIFA and other donors whom we appreciate a lot for their continued support. We also believe the power of opinions, suggestions and questions in order to move forward and I take this opportunity to welcome feedback from our extinguished donors.”Said, Nancy Waweru, program officer.

STREETFOOTBALLWORLD

The Streetfootballworld Network was set up in 2002 with the common vision to bring about social and human development through the use of football. Increased recognition of common work-that of all Network members and the team at the streetfootballworld in Berlin –has led to tremendous developments over the last years. Streetfootballworld acts as an interface between the streetfootballworld Network members and companies and institutions that are interested in investing in and cooperating with the field of Development through Football. By offering investment opportunities (projects) and developing corporate Citizenship (CC) strategies with these interested institutions, Streetfootballworld aims at establishing a support structure for the streetfootballworld Network that enables it to expand its activities and its goals.

FOOTBALL FOR HOPE The Football for Hope Movement is the key element of the strategic alliance between FIFA and streetfootballworld. It was created to enhance dialogue and collaboration between locally active organizations advancing social development and football associations, committed clubs and players, professional leagues as well as involved commercial partners. The Movement aims to utilize the role of football in the society in order to contribute to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals. THE 2010 FUNDING The one year funding will be used to scale up VAP’s HIV/AIDS G-pange skillz activities in 5 schools and 6 community centres by targeting 6,800 students by March 2011.With the already set 2012 initiative, VAP is optimistic that with the financial support they are appealing for-they will reach 6,800 students by the close of March 2011.