IDEALS Zambia - continuing to display strength and depth
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UK Sport 22 November 2011
IDEALS Zambia is the longest running host of IDEALS students. Each year motivated students representing the Wallace Group of Universities experience the highs and lows of supporting, coaching, mentoring and training in sports and media across a variety of placements in Zambia. 2011 was no exception!
Whilst some placements have been receiving students for a number of years, the programme activities continue to expand to support the growth of placement providers. Laura Dormans of St. Andrew’s and Jordan Kenny from the University of Bath worked in several new schools in N’gombe.
The head teacher of All Saints School was immediately highly positive about the role of IDEALS and Edusport in his school, both through their contribution to sport but also as role models to his students.
“Since the two students from the UK have been coming the children have been paying a lot more attention in their English lessons and seem more eager to learn.”
He also described how after taking part in the sessions the children are generally more focused on their school work. The children are all active and engaged in the activities, helping them to stay focused and alert. The platform created through the IDEALS programme continues to provide more than just a sporting experience.
Nasi, an intern at the Sport in Action office, described how important it is for children to have a safe place to play. “Children play a lot less now than when I was younger. It’s because sometimes it is not safe for them to be out on their own so their parents prefer them to stay indoors. But this means they don’t get a lot of exercise.”
Sessions like the ones the IDEALS students have been delivering ensure that the local children have structured exercise and a safe place to play, as well as an opportunity to promote interaction and the development of social skills.
Whilst the IDEALS students gain invaluable experiences from their time in placement, mutuality and reciprocity is felt by the local volunteers and peer leaders who grow from their interaction. Steven Siame a peer leader for Sport in Action and Fountain of Hope and his personal story reflects his hardship through being an orphan on the street, to be taken in by Fountain and guided by Sport in Action to become a role model in the community. He uses his skills to education children around HIV and AIDS. Steven reflects that whilst children enjoy sport the most, he is able to input conversations and activities around HIV and AIDS and drug abuse topics. He comments “most of them don’t realise they are learning as they enjoy it so.”
Interviewing Steven gave the IDEALS media student, Sally Jesson, opportunity to reflect on the value of the work the programme partners do, she said: “It is extremely encouraging to see how enthusiastic Steven is about the work Sport in Action do and the programmes that he coaches to the children.”
Sarah Todd, team leader for IDEALS 2011, reflected on her experience: “I wouldn’t change my time out in Zambia for any-thing, this project has increased my job prospects, improved my professional skills, given me further confidence in my leadership skills and most importantly given me memories and friends which will last a lifetime.”
UK Sport would like to thank the IDEALS students of 2011, the programme partners and all support staff and volunteers for their ongoing hard work and dedication which continues to underscore the strength and depth of the programme.
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