Gansbaai Sports Development Programme
This project's parent organization is Football Foundation of South Africa
It operates in South Africa
It uses Multiple sports
Entered the Sport For Social Inclusion Award
More about Gansbaai Sports Development Programme
Gansbaai is a typical post-Apartheid South African rural town, situated in the Western Cape. Numerous social issues persist within this area, posing a constant threat to the youth: poverty, inequality, the unemployment rate, crime, teenage pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and racial segregation. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has become arguably the worst public health crisis in human history: 34 million men, women, and children worldwide are currently infected with HIV, and 40% of new HIV infections occur among youth aged 0-24.
The importance of HIV education cannot be underestimated – it is an epidemic that is threatening the future of the country. On top of the many existing society threatening realities, environmental issues in the Cape Floral Kingdom receive even less attention.
Almost three quarters of these species face extinction in the area, a devastating truth that must be countered with education and conservation. Otherwise, due to extreme human pressures, the unprecedented biodiversity will not last for future generations. We use daily soccer, netball, hockey and athletics trainings to engage excluded and at risk youth. We provide them with a safe space to participate in sports, develop life skills, and also gain awareness about the social issues infecting their community.