Location: Ramotswa, Botswana

Centre Host: South East District Youth Empowerment Association

Status: In design

Jan. 3., 2012 Football for Hope Centres numbers 15-19 announced

The centre will be located in Ramotswa in the South-East District of Botswana, in close proximity to the South African border. Although the centre will be located in Ramotswa it will serve five surrounding villages that share the same challenges. The lack of sport and community facilities, coupled with HIV/AIDS prevention challenges, make Ramotswa an ideal location. A lack of activities contributes to a sense of frustration among young people in the area, which is impounded by limited employment opportunities, gender inequalities and widespread abuse.

SEDYEA was founded in 2002 as the first community sports facility in the Ramotswa region, aiming to harness the power of football to provide education on HIV/AIDS prevention and other health and socio-economic issues. Through leagues, tournaments and trainings, SEDYEA empowers young people and allows them to make a positive contribution to community development.

SEDYEA places a strong emphasis on peer education, with programmes and workshops operated by young leaders in order to promote life skills and safe sexual behavior. Gender inequalities also play a significant role in SEDYEA activities, with initiatives such as the Kgatelopele Safe Spaces Programme tailored specifically to address these issues.

As well as providing local communities with football training facilities and infrastructure, the centre will offer a range of complementary activities designed to enhance the lives of young people through education and physical activity. These will include computer classes, study groups, art festivals and theatre workshops.

With a strong focus on the empowerment of girls and women, the centre will also support the mixed gender league and Safe Spaces Programmes. As a youth led organisation, peer education will be at the heart of the centre’s objectives.

Kitso Masi
Tel: +257 539 0286
e-mail: info.sedyel@yahoo.com

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