Grassroot Soccer (GRS) uses the power and popularity of soccer to empower youth and mobilize communities in the fight against AIDS in Africa; they will capitalize on the presence of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to further educate youth. GRS strives to reduce stigma, fuel open dialogue about HIV/AIDS, and prevent new HIV infections.  GRS does this by arming at-risk adolescents with the knowledge, social support and life-skills they need to live HIV-free

The participants are selected from schools in Khayelitsha and five students are from a children’s home called Bathandwa House .This is a pilot program which allows us the opportunity of practicing for the World Cup Legacy programming. Special emphasis on exploring diversity, tolerance and respect.

The program will have an environmental education component which will introduce the students to flora/fauna, explain the importance of preserving nature, carbon footprint/global warming and the importance of water management.
We will encourage the students to identify opportunities to transfer skills acquired back to their community and to catalyze leadership potential. There will be opportunities for individuals to return to F4 and Grassroots Football for Hope Centre to volunteer.

We will use the 2010 World Cup as a platform to expand our portfolio with a module which encourages students to explore the concept of being Proudly South African and the responsibilities they have as members of the nation.

Each individual will be given the opportunity to sign a constitution committing to making the right choices and making a positive contribution toward society

OBJECTIVES

To address the concerns of the 2010 World Cup  and implement the World Cup Legacy programming  as defined by the proposal.

 Capacity Building
 Resilience and Coping Skills
 Team Work and Team Effectiveness
 Exploring Diversity
 Environmental Skills

EPILOGUE

 
Many of these students have never experienced outdoor activities or been exposed to a wilderness environment before. They were excited and interested to explore the mountains and willing to try the adventure challenges.

Their positive attitude and energy motivated them through the tougher challenges. They were a resilient group and while the they worked together on overcoming some of the obstacles, there was a clear gender division. The girls and boys struggled to accept and integrate with each other in a social context.

The participants were highly motivated and engaged in activities but needed constant guidance and reassurance from the instructors which hindered their progress and development of decision making skills.

Each participant gained a new understanding of their own capacity and a realization that in order to achieve your goals you need to persevere.

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