Interviewed By:  Jarette Petzer on ImStayingMedia Ikasi Soccer School for Girls provides young girls in the community with a safe, educational after school football programme.  It focuses on building their individual confidence, equality in society, and their passion for the sport. Two of the founders, Dumisani Ntsodo and Sindiso Joya, recently joined Jarette Petzer to chat about the difference this programme is making in so many young lives.

They realized it was time to change the narrative for this vulnerable sector of the population.

Recognizing the need to give young girls from the townships a feeling of worth and importance and start them on paths of success, Ikasi was started by Dumisani Ntsodo, Sindiso Joya, Oyama Majola and Sipho Mathwasa.  They realized it was time to change the narrative for this vulnerable sector of the population. These four Founders realized that soccer could be the vehicle to achieve this.  They received help from school principals and several dedicated and wonderful young coaches and parents.  Ikasi Soccer School is not just helping the girls, it is giving some of the coaches, who are unemployed themselves, a sense of purpose and achievement.

They are training the girls not just to be good soccer players, but also to believe in themselves.

As a result of their efforts, these young girls are now part of the community and not just home help.  Ikasi is providing educational programmes too, with lectures on the weekends on mathematics, English, and science.  And during the lockdown they have given the girls hygiene products and food parcels. They are training the girls not just to be good soccer players, (although at a recent tournament they came fourth against all boys teams!) but also to believe in themselves.

“I am brave, I am strong, I am smart, and I am beautiful”

Every morning the players say to themselves: “I am brave, I am strong, I am smart, and I am beautiful” and the coaches tell them to believe it, because then “then no one can ever take that away from you.” The girl’s safety is of considerable concern as many of them have to travel long distances to and from tournaments and practices.  One player has already been attacked.

The need for a large vehicle to transport the girls safely is a high priority. 

A Backabuddy fund has been established where contributions can be made to fund such a vehicle. 

#ImStaying asks the community to please donate towards this important initiative. 

>> Click Here or on the BackaBuddy Logo to Donate <<

Let’s keep these girl’s safe.

 

Edited By: Patricia Becker Stapleton

GOOD THOUGHTS • GOOD WORDS • GOOD DEEDS