Sports Training Assistant/Playtime Companion

The language of sports is a universal messenger of joy and cultural unity. If you are into sports and share the same intent, we welcome you to help the kids.

Debrief – An ideal project for short-term volunteers, visitors and even working nomads, no specific skills are required. Just a love for any kind of sports.

Volunteers should bring their own sports kit, headgear and light-weight scarf for dust protection, insect repellent, working boots and water bottle. Please also note, projects and volunteer roles will vary from school to school. You can also get local sports kit at a much cheaper rate, in case you want to travel light.

What is it about?

This project focuses primarily on anything to do surrounding sports. From helping and indulging with the PE teacher to devising new exercise routines or simply playing a few games with the kids, the volunteers don’t need any specific qualification for this particular project. Kenya is soccer crazy but if you have a knack for another sport or something that is new in Kenyan culture, you are more than welcome to share (Who knows we might have the next sports star in the making here!!). If you are somebody with a knack for outdoor engagements and a good level of fitness, this will be a perfect project for you.

Background –

In African communities, Sport, like any other human activity, is set in the physical environment and is bound to have effects on it and be affected by it. Africa’s performance in sports is dependent on mostly nature, endurance and consistence by the candidates plus use of role model unlike in developed countries where the level of socioeconomic factors plays a major role in determining the outcome or success of a sportsman. In ancient times, the games were by males only. Women were neither allowed to participate nor spectate. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries in the Western contexts, women were restricted, or forbidden, from participation in sport due to concerns over their perceived frailness and inability to cope with the competitive nature.

Impact –

In 1995, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), together with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), hosted a World Conference on Sport and the Environment. The then IOC President Samaranch remarked that “The International Olympic Committee is resolved to ensure that the environment becomes the third dimension of the organization of the Olympic Games, the first and second being sport and culture”. But the question arises: what has Kenya done so far in imparting the ideology and the awareness of the necessity of sports in young lives? Kenya is slowly starting to overcome the hurdles of societal negativity of feminine involvement in sports but the pace has to be quickened. When it comes to agility and strength in sports, Kenya stands among the firsts internationally, especially when it comes to games like long distance running and rugby. Sports in Kenya are organized from two perspectives; educational for schools, and out of school for recreation or competition.

Location –

Mombasa is a touristy coastal city of not just Kenya but also East Africa. It’s round-the-year hot and humid so expect to be surrounded by serene splash of waves on the beach and dusty roads. Overall, it is surrounded by forest reserves and hilly ranges which adds it to one of the most tourist-friendly attractions in the world. Kenyans are lovely, warm people with a heart for friendly exchanges and interactions with tourists.

Challenges faced:

• Lack of sporting goods and accessories.
• Zero knowledge of proper physical fitness and it’s impact on long-term health.
• Lack of trained personnel to assist the teachers.
• Lack of motivation for the kids; someone must be around to constantly remind them and play with them. They miss that joy (for some, it would be a whole new experience).
• Bureaucratic policies which do more harm than good to announce the betterment of sporting activities within the nation.
• Lack of government support in building sports academies for schools.

Requirements:

We are looking for volunteers to help us with newer ideas about indulging and playing different sports. Even making a routine for the fitness of students is a happy start. Visitors would also get a chance to experience local lunch sessions with staff and students.

First Day: On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your accommodation by a local coordinator/staff member and allowed to relax and rest.

Following that, you will meet the admin and the organizational hierarchy who will explain the work and the ongoing projects to be done.

Weekdays - A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

Day 1

• 8:30 AM: Volunteer leaves for the project destination. The volunteer joins with the local staff and will be oriented about the work to be done.
• 12.00 PM – 2.00 PM: Lunch break. During this lunch break, you are welcome to eat out or eat at the accommodation.
• 2.00 PM - 4.00 PM: volunteer makes a note of things to be done and decides what to buy and how to buy, unless the blueprint is not ready. Work at the project usually ends. The volunteer at this point is free to travel around and explore or do anything at his/her own choice.
• 7.00 PM: Dinner in the volunteer house.

Day 2 onwards

Volunteers have their own choice to work at their own pace and flexibility but it is advised to get to work in the early hours as the sun and humidity combines a massive scorcher past 10-11 am. The rest of the day goes on as usual.

Usual workdays: sports can be played anytime however, for special PE sessions, it is better to indulge during weekends as the academic pressure would be a bit lower.

During the weekend, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore the Mombasa locale, such as visiting the beach, planning a fun and entertainment program with the kids, visiting local homes, etc.

Also, they can tour in and around places like Malindi, Kilifi, Watamu and so on.

There’s no dearth of places of rich and cultural heritage and the famed African wildlife. One must not miss out on the chance of a local safari to Tsavo hills or Arabuko reserves.

NOTE – The program coordinator can arrange for sightseeing, only after proper intimation and discussion.