Opportunitas Aequa
Creating OpportunitiesProject Uganda
Project Title: Gum Marom (Equal Opportunity in Acholi)
Location: Gulu, Uganda
Local Partners: The Youth Coalition for Peace
Other Partners: LUSH Cosmetics, Vancouver Film School
Pilot Project Dates: April 16 to May 26, 2009
Executive Summary:
The first phase of the multi-phased project will have the following five core components:
1) Improve, in an environmentally sensitive manner, some of the current soccer-related infrastructure in the host community by re-constructing at least 1 soccer field;
2) Help local programs that use soccer to engage their youth in community building activities related to reconciliation, gender equality, and HIV/AIDS awareness;
3) Run two structured, week-long soccer camps that provides a safe and fun environment for children and youths affected by war;
4) Develop the capacity of local youth to lead soccer-based peace-building activities through a three-day coaching workshop; and,
5) Engage the public in Canada, the US, and in other developed countries, through a online video series of the project published on our YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/OAFilms).
Purpose: to support local organizations that use soccer-based activities to promote peace and community building among children and youth in the Gulu and Amuru Districts of Northern Uganda.
Objectives:
1. The Youth Coalition for Peace, and other community groups, are better able to use soccer in youth to youth peace-building activities
2. Children and youth are actively engaged in community building activities.
3. Females have increased opportunities to participate in soccer-based activities
How to help:
Tell people about the project and the needs of children in Northern Uganda; organize an event to raise funds or awareness or both; volunteer to be part of the project team; encourage people to follow the blog during the project; and donate or buy 1 for 1 t-shirt at the OA Shop.
Links and Info:
The BBC Country Profile: Uganda
Change.org has done our homework for us and compiled a list of resources on Northern Uganda:
Survey on War Affected Youth in Northern Uganda
Did you know that most of the OA team was 4 when the war in Northern Uganda started and 23 when the ceasefire was signed?
That means everyone our age or younger in Gulu has never really known peace.
Project Coordinator Contact: Erin Hunt, hunt.erinlynn@gmail.com
