People with Passion - Gervin Baila
|  10 May 2024, 19:01 (5 hours ago) | | ||
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My name is Gervin Baila Kitwika, I'm a Congolese refugee living in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. I'm the founder and chairperson of a youth-led community based organization called 'Action For Peace And Nonviolence - APN'. With a shared passion for sports and community development, we are reaching out to you with a humble request.
In the sprawling expanse of the Nakivale refugee settlement, nested between long stretches of makeshift homes, there lies an unexpected beacon of hope and solidarity: a collection of football academies for the youth. Despite the scarcity that marks much of the settlement’s day-to-day reality, these academies stand out for the life and vigor they bring to a community in dire need of both.
The grounds are modest at best, often just clearings of earth, pounded by the determined steps of
countless young aspirants. Threadbare nets loosely hang from makeshift goalposts, accompanied by the constant murmur of chatter and cheering, a testament to the irrepressible spirit that pervades the atmosphere. Within this context, the football academies serve as a vital nexus for the youth of the settlement. Amidst a landscape characterized by limited resources, the lack of basic necessities, and the tangible heaviness of many lost futures, the football pitches offer a rare diversion, a chance to escape, if for a moment, the weight of their circumstances. More importantly, the academies have become a melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, weaving together the diverse tapestry of individuals forced by hardships and survival. Here, amidst the shouts of the coaches and players, young people from different tribes, ethnicities and languages discover common ground. In the spirit of “More than a Club”, they learn the values of teamwork, respect and sportsmanship, essential ingredients not just in sports, but in the larger quest for peace and coexistence that defines the spirit of the settlement. Coaches, refugees themselves, take on far more than the role of mere trainers. They are mentors, counselors, and role models, guiding their charges through the complexities of the game that mirrors life, navigating challenges, celebrating victories, and facing defeats with resilience. They impart invaluable lessons about collaboration, unity, and the strength found in standing together. Despite the evident lack of material wealth, the football academies have cultivated a wealth of camaraderie and hope. The football itself is as much as an act of defiance as it is of sport, an assertion that even here, in a setting marred by loss and want, joy can flourish, and peace can be propagated. Each match, each pass, each goal scored is a small declaration: even in a resource-poor situation, humanities capacity for joy and brotherhood remains rich and boundless. As the sun sets on another day, casting long shadows over the rough and dusty pitches, the laughter and cheers of the day’s games linger in the air. It is a sound that echoes with the possibility of a better future, carried on the backs of the youth who have found solidarity in their love for the game, a game that transcends boarders and fosters a sense of community amidst the myriad challenges of life in a refugee settlement.
In my role as an IEP peace ambassador and a passionate community development volunteer, I am deeply committed to the promotion of peace and the betterment of lives through the universal language of sports. The guiding vision is to harness the power of football to bridge divides, foster a sense of unity, and reinforce the values of teamwork and mutual respect among the vibrant youth of Nakivale Refugee Settlement. The Youths’ passion for football here is a testament to their resilience and desire for normalcy in circumstances that are anything but normal. They have shown an infectious enthusiasm for the game, finding solace and temporary escape from the hardships they face daily. However, the stark lack of football equipment like boots, bibs, balls, shirts, shorts, socks and nets stands as a significant barrier, not only to their love for the game but also to the valuable life lessons and opportunities that come with sporting engagement.
My motivation in seeking assistance for these teams is driven by a conviction in the transformative power of sport as a tool for peace and community development. By facilitating access to proper equipment, we empower these young athletes to not only pursue their passion for football but also to cultivate an environment where peace, joy, and camaraderie thrive, a fertile ground for developing the leaders of tomorrow. I believe that nurturing a sports for peace initiative can spark a positive change that reverberates beyond the football pitches of Nakivale. It is about offering a sense of hope, promoting inclusivity, and laying down the groundwork for peaceful community dialogue through the act of play.
posted by nige @ 1:38 AM
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