Today, Friday 17th January, marks the conclusion of a five-day training session for Kick4Life staff, volunteers, partners and young people, delivered by Valued Citizens Initiative (VCI), an NGO from South Africa which is focused on making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. The training was part of VCI’s iSIQALO Development Programme on Comprehensive Sexuality Education, and was delivered by Shiela Naran and Mduduzi Ndidi from VCI. The course was attended by sixteen Life Skills Coaches from Kick4Life, four Social Workers working closely with Kick4Life, and forty adolescents, including players from Kick4Life’s football teams.
The full-day training sessions were split into two parts. In the morning, the twenty coaches and social workers received training, and in the afternoon, they had the opportunity to pass on the knowledge they gained to the forty young participants. The sessions covered vital topics such as self-awareness, understanding one’s sexuality, and its societal implications. Throughout the training, participants gained valuable insights and skills to deepen their understanding of their bodies, build healthy relationships, and challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about sexuality.
By providing this education, organisations like VCI and Kick4Life are not only addressing immediate issues but are also laying the foundation for a healthier, more informed generation.
Country Director of Kick4Life, Motlatsi Nkhahle, said, “In these past five days, the Valued Citizens Initiative team has contributed meaningfully to our work by thought-provokingly capacitating the Kick4Life team on comprehensive sexuality education. We will certainly wield the knowledge to strengthen our impactful programmes that already reach hundreds of youth per year, to enable them to reach their potential. We are grateful to the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi for supporting this collaboration.”
