Good sports off to Africa to battle HIV

SPORTS coaches are heading to Africa to teach children how to protect themselves from the HIV and Aids epidemic sweeping the continent. With around 5% of the adult population in Kenya and Uganda infected with HIV, specialists from Cardiff-based Sport

A 12-strong team is set to begin a three-week stint next Wednesday.
The private sports coaching company, which works in schools and with after-school and holiday clubs, has teamed up with the Act4Africa health education charity, which will take staff to the slums of Nairobi in Kenya and the rural villages and communities of Uganda.

Emrys Haugen, 24, from Cardiff, who will be leading the SportStars team, said: “We adapt games to have a higher purpose.

“For example, with something as simple as tag, we will designate some children as the HIV virus and some as victims and then we will have blockers which can stop the virus.

“This teaches the children how condoms can prevent HIV being transmitted.”

The firm’s managing director James Taylor, 28, said he became inspired to help African children after spending time there during a gap year.

And having seen how sports coaching gives children confidence, he said he was determined to combine the two to make a positive difference.

“Africa is a massive passion of mine. I had such a good time working there that I wanted to give something back, so we partnered up with Act4Africa and they are giving us the logistical support to help us achieve that,” he said.

“Unfortunately, I can’t go on this trip, but I know that not only will the kids get a lot out of this, but that the staff will also get so much from the kids and will come back better and broader-minded people.”

Act4Africa’s chief executive Martin Smedley said: “SportStars aims and objectives are very much in line with our own – to alleviate poverty through giving young people life skills and confidence building.

“Raising awareness about how to fight and prevent HIV is so important and we encourage all projects that can harness the power of sport to help teach young people how to protect themselves and their partners.

“Without the support from companies like SportStars we would not be able to carry out the important work we do and we are grateful for their support.”
 

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