Over the last two weeks we had the pleasure of hosting Jasmin Churm, a physiotherapist from the UK, who volunteered with K4L providing various support to our players and coaching team.
Jasmin delivered a range of group sessions for the K4L Academy and for our teams covering various topics including common injuries and their treatment, as well as explaining basic information about physiotherapy and potential career opportunities in the field. Additionally, she provided individual sessions to players with injuries, offering treatment and recommendations as needed. Her visit had a significant impact on the players, not only in terms of injury treatment but also in sparking interest in the field of physiotherapy as a potential career path.
Jasmin’s visit coincided with Lesotho’s Independence Day on October 4th, allowing her to experience the celebrations. She visited Thaba Bosiu with the Academy Director, Lash Mokhathi, to learn about the country’s history and culture, enjoying the opportunity to interact with local people. During the weekend, she also watched both the Junior Women’s and Senior Men’s teams play their respective games. Jasmin also met with Kick4Life FC’s Executive Committee to introduce her work, engaged in discussions with the British High Commissioner about potential opportunities for Basotho, and visited a hospital, where she accompanied a Kick4Life player to an x-ray appointment, learning about the country’s healthcare system.
Jasmin said: “My stay in Lesotho was incredibly rewarding. The team at Kick4Life welcomed me warmly, and it was fulfilling to work directly with both the players and coaches. I felt supported and accomplished in the contributions I was able to make. Working with young athletes with a wide range of ages allowed me to gain unique insights into youth development and the specific needs of athletes in Lesotho. What stood out to me the most was the clear focus on community and prioritising the well-being of the children.”
K4L’s Academy Director added: “Jasmin volunteered at the right time since our teams were just starting their new seasons. Her assessment sessions ensured that our players’ muscles were not overloaded to avoid unnecessary injuries. She is a professional, which I have clearly seen in her work ethic. Her assessment sessions with our players were thorough. Hence, there were a lot of hidden injuries that even the players were not aware of. One thing I liked about was that if she ever was in doubt about an injury, she would recommend a referral to another health practitioner. Her approach towards our participants is always warm, caring, and friendly.”
K4L Co-founder Steve Fleming concluded: “We are incredibly grateful to Jasmin for using her time and expertise to support our work in Lesotho so generously and enthusiastically. We look forward to continuing the relationship, and using this as a platform for strengthening our capacity locally.”
