Successfull Project in Mooni, Uganda

A two-year Forum Syd-supported projects have been completed for Mooni Sports Club in Uganda. The project's objectives have been achieved and we are now planning another Forum Syd-supported project. 130 people are registered in the sports club and exercise regularly but the materials and plans used by more schools and by the registered friends.

What has been done? LEO has built a basketball court, two netboll courts and restored to their former court for a volleyball/netboll. They also bought sports materials and renovate the office with computers and Internet access. The idea is to use this for administrative tasks and resources and facts available at the seminars and courses.

Education. A total of seventeen seminars with 400 children and youths have been arranged in HIV / AIDS, Gender, training and organizational development activities. At seminars for Gender has known profiles in Mbale discussed about the role of sport for girls. At these seminars the idea to start a football team come up. Inspiration and examples of girls sports at all levels were in focus. Football itself is an important icebreaker for girls that can take place within a traditional boys' sports. The club has also created a community where school kids and those who do not attend school can meet on equal terms, something that rarely occurs otherwise.

Information. A major information session was arranged for all people in Mooni and attracted approximately 500 visitors. This included speeches from key people in the community as well as exhibition matches. The club has been good at creating news when members have been out of Mooni to play tournaments. This has strengthened the club's positive image and created togetherness and pride in Mooni.

Sport activities. Sport activities have taken place daily but the number of participants has varied depending on the season and if there were school semester or permission. Football has the recent year blossomed in the club. A total of eight tournaments organized by the Club in volleyball, basketball, football and netball. Two of these were targeted at girls. At approximately 50 occasions, members had went to other cities for competitions. Seven of these were for the girls teams. This has enhanced self-esteem and togetherness within the club. This communion is the basis for progress and openness in discussions, seminars and trainings. A long and continuous work is a prerequisite for the girls to travel outside Mooni more often.

What has given this club? Giving Mooni Sports Club a greater legitimacy in the community, from residents to the authorities has been the main goal. However It turned out more difficult than we thought to create the confidence needed to run the business. Today there is a trust, even if there are gaps. There was no expressed opposition to Mooni Sports Club at the beginning of the operation, but the resulting rumors, mistrust and a sluggish and corrupt social system systems have made that much energy has been required to legitimate the club. The interest has increased, which was an aim in itself, and a prerequisite for the MSC to become a democratic model in the region. The goal to create the conditions for unity has been achieved with the result of a strong we-feeling and greater commitment. The effect is a community, a platform for young people, creating hope for the future.