Support 500 girls in India through football!

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.