2021-22 was another year of uncertainties with schools opening and closing their doors several times through the school year due to Covid19. Finally in January-February 2022 when schools opened their doors, the excitement of our students (and teachers!) knew no bounds! After close to two yers, we were finally able to get back from online to physical Just for Kicks sessions in schools.
2021-22 was another year of uncertainties with schools opening and closing their doors several times due to Covid19. In January 2022 when schools finally opened their doors, the excitement of our students (and coaches!) knew no bounds! After nearly two years, we were finally able to get back from virtual to physical Just for Kicks sessions in rural schools.
In our rural program in Dharwad and Kumata districts (Karnataka, India), we were able to bring back 600 students on the ground, more than half of them girls. A comparison between our baseline and endline student leadership skill assessments showed average growth from 2 to 2.8 (on a 4 point scale with 1 being the least and 4 being the highest score).
While the numbers show growth in student leadership skills, its the stories behind the numbers that say much more. 12-year old Chandana's stories is only one of many such stories. Chandana studies in grade 6 at Government Higher Primary School in Shibargatti village (Dharwad district). She comes from a farming community and she and her siblings are 1st generation learners. Both her parents are farm labourers and earn barely enough for two square meals a day.
When Chandana first joined 'Just for Kicks' in 2019, she was a shy child. Today, however, her parents and teachers see a different girl in her. She and her team had, over the past 2 years, developed a passion for football. Finding a safe space to practise in their village, however, was a problem. Chandana took the issue up and together with her team, they decided to find a solution. They spoke to several community members, including their own parents. Finally, with their coach’s permission and after a go-ahead from the community, the kids cleared weeds, stones and rubble from an unused piece of land and created a size-able playing area. Today, not only her team, but other girls use the 'pitch' to practise.
Problem solving and a bias to action are 2 key leadership skills Just for Kicks focuses on. And Chandana's story is testament to students' grit to solve rather than accept situations. An empowered Chandana says she learnt the importance of staying disciplined and focused, helping others when they need help and working hard and not giving up after she joined Just for Kicks.
With your support, Just for Kicks will continue to engage more adolescent girls like Chandana, who otherwise don't have the means. Our mission is to deliver impactful sessions empowering girls with the leadership skills to become role models and positive contributors in their communities.
165 girls covered!
Summary -
This project will support 500 at-risk girls in India through our Just For Kicks football program, focused on empowering them with confidence to become role-models and break the gender stereotypes. The program entitles students to 48 lessons, learning materials (footballs, jerseys, shoes) and participation in a football league. Today, Just For Kicks reaches 3820 at-risk children in India. $10/- month or $120/- year can support a child. In our 100% model, 100% of your donation supports the child.
Impact -
165 girls across multiple locations in India have been enrolled into the program owed to the direct donations raised through GlobalGiving. Each girl will benefit from the program through the entire year.
Enabling Leadership believes that every child can be a leader - be a role model, take care of oneself & the community as an effective member, and be a global citizen. The three programs operated by EL teach over 36 skills that ensure that students learn and are enabled as leaders.
Every Drop In The Ocean Matters!!
Yes, you read that right. That's the story of Manju (name changed) studying in the Government Higher Primary School Timmapur. Manju has been in our football program for three years.
In October, the government of Karnataka has decided that the students till 5th standard will get the worksheets from the schools which their parents can receive from the school and return it once the students complete the activities in the worksheets.
The school got the printer donated by the gram panchayat, but the papers were not enough to print the students' worksheets. Our student Manju (name changed) came forward and donated the whole bundle of A4 sized papers to school by saving her pocket money for 1 month.
Manju displayed the leadership skill of caring for her batchmates with little and sacrificing for others.
It might be too little for us, but it's a big decision for Manju. It's a sacrifice that she made to help others.
Could you please help us raise more Manju's in the community we work in?
Every Support Matters!!
What started as a set of question marks in April last year has turned out to be an incredibly productive and impactful year. We are nowhere near putting this crisis behind us, and there is a lot to do. Still, we know that our programs have helped build the positivity, resilience, and sense of connectedness necessary for them to weather this storm and come out ahead.
Your support for our work and your trust in our organization has been invaluable. Our programs are a critical part of the children’s learning and development, and we must continue to work with them, especially during these trying times. We look forward to your continued support and partnership in this journey.
Ravi Sonnad, CEO Enabling Leadership
Football & Beyond
Even though the world stood still, the grit and desire to learn continued. The students in the 13 villages of Dharwad reflected the qualities of a leader. Our coaches and students had the courage and strength to persevere and come up with new ways to cope and then grow.
In the midst of chaos lies opportunity. Our students seized this opportunity of the Just For Kicks program continuing even when schools were shut. They pushed themselves to not give up. They even made sure to involve their parents in their sessions and activities. As they begin their virtual league as mixed-gender teams in Dharwad, they are putting in all their life skills to succeed. -
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