In South Africa, 40% of the population is younger than 18 years. Youth unemployment is one of the largest problems facing the country. Many children in the townships face major, life threatening challenges. Because of poverty and AIDS, they are often alone at a young age. The care for siblings rests on their shoulders. They have no job, no income, and their future looks bleak.
The KNVB and SOS Kinderdorpen started the project WorldCoaches South Africa in 2010 for this very reason. Together, they train football coaches who guide the children to a brighter future. While instructing the children in football skills, the coaches are providing information on topics relevant to the children life: healthy diet, fitness, sex education including AIDS and HIV education as well as other social issues.
The children who participate in the program see their football coach as a role model, a father, or a mother figure. They are encouraged by him or her to do their very best; on the field and in their lives. They can contact their coach, no matter the problem.
KNVB and the SOS Kinderdorpen have the shared goal to train at least 100 WorldCoaches in four years, and to support over 6,000 children within that time.
Hi, I'm Thapelo and I am twelve years old. Together with my mother, sister, and brother, I live in Mamelodi, South Africa. Our coach is named Jack, but we call him Coach G. I would also like to become a coach later in life, just like him. Coach G teaches me a lot, like better dribbling and passing.
Give children in South Africa a coach and a chance! For the children living in the South African townships, playing football is much more than a game: it's an opportunity for a better future. With your support, we train coaches who can guide these children to a better future; not only as a football coach, but also a "life coach".
Give the children a coach by donating to account number 2280 with the instruction 'World Coaches'. Thank you for your support of WorldCoaches.
In preparation for the World Cup in South Africa, SOS Kinderdorpen (SOS Children's Villages) and the KNVB strengthened their collaboration. This led to the "WorldCoaches South Africa" project . Together, the two organizations trained football coaches to give sports a permanent role within the SOS Kinderdorpen programs in South Africa. This was done from the eleven locations where SOS Kinderdorpen is active. SOS Kinderdorpen South Africa is responsible for the selection of prospective coaches and the training of life skills outlined in the WorldCoaches manual. The KNVB takes care of the logistics and the training of the WorldCoaches.
SOS Kinderdorpen ensures that children who are completely alone grow up in a loving family. Children deserve a home in their own country, and a good education in a safe environment. Only then can they develop into promising and independent adults.
SOS Kinderdorpen is active in 132 countries and has maintained a presence in South Africa for 30 years. SOS Kinderdorpen acts as a powerful ally in the selection of aspiring coaches who wish to participate in WorldCoach training. Prospective coaches are local people that know and understand the situation of the children in their area. In fact, often they have the same background as the kids they'll coach. This allows them to help the children using their own experience. This inspires confidence in the children, confidence in their coach, and the inspiration they need them to achieve their best.
The future prospects of a child are largely dependent of where it is born. In many countries, a promising future is not the norm. Children left on their own often find themselves in a hopeless situation. SOS Kinderdorpen ensures orphans and abandoned children can grow up in a loving family. Thanks to a unique, family-oriented approach, SOS Kinderdorpen helps orphaned and abandoned children to grow into privileged and independent adults. Oad is a structural partner of SOS Kinderdorpen and the KNVB. As such, Oad supports various projects, including part of the WorldCoaches South Africa project in Mamelodi.