The program, as we have described in the proposal, is aiming to promote safer and resilient youth against crime and violence; we aim to reach out 100 young boys and girls engaged through a 10-week program activities that combine both theoretical sessions and football sessions. IANS has finalized support from the Municipality of Durres, a city known for high rates on juvenile crimes and broken communities in rural areas surrounding the city. Such context evaluation was known and requested from municipal structures to IANS.
The process of identification of children (for the moments we have over 60 boys of age 9-17 that have started classes, come in sessions, trained by 4 coaches (football coaches – known figures for the community). this was the start of the process; while in the upcoming week we are waiting from the regional education directorate 35-40 young girls. It was a long discussion among child protection specialists, education and social care services to identify families that are willing to bring girls to play and participate in the sessions. There are a lot of prejudices and families with patriarchal mentalities. Anyways, we are strongly working to achieve our goal (ideal will be 50-50)
Why Durres? 1- Because of high seasonal petty crime rates; 2- it does have more sport places than other cities and it is promoted by the Central Government as a city that will open an international football Academy; this is why children are so eager to have an opportunity to be engaged in sport program. 3- The Municipality is supportive and they have also offered that some sessions may be organized in main city football arena.
The program, developed by our experts, represents a methodology of combined skills for the players and capacitate children and youngster to play in team, respect each other, process assignments with responsibility. As mentioned the experts are football coaches and professionals that have worked with gender and domestic violence, with juvenile offenders and children raised in difficult family conditions.
A 90-minute theory and 90-minute practice is the daily routine – children are equiped with tshirts; refreshments and snacks, they have the opportunity to come with their siblings and parents are waiting after sessions are completed to meet and chat with coaches.
The atmosphere is amazing. today for example, we did exceed the plan: not only they finished the classes by the coaches organized a play with city “U-16” football team and they played against the Program boys.
We will update the program on weekly basis so, you have all sessions – little by little- filled in with photos and videos. We are very much committed to have short interviews with coaches and upload those elements online.
This information is provided not in the form of a report, but it is written with a lot of joy and pride of having children engaged. we are so happy that we are providing such contribution to them. nothing else is happening for their lives and everyone in the communities are supportive.
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