When one thinks of helping to create a bright future for the youth, sports certainly comes at the very top alongside education. Companies and other organizations are taking note of the need for sports as a discipline and even as a career and there are many nurturing programs for the same throughout the country.
One such organization is Nduguz for Dada, a men’s group that was founded in 2015 with the purpose of safeguarding the dignity of women and girls in the informal sectors it operates from. The group started its activities in in Kibagare Kangemi but have since spread their wings to Kawangware and Kibera. I spoke to Stephen Nyangoso, a member and one of the founders of the group and he told me their story.
Though they have several programs, one of their shining star projects is Santos Queens – a girls only grassroots football group with members drawn from these three areas. Santos Queens started out with just 15 active members who have since increased to 30, and another 30 who are involve indirectly.
Being members of the group gives the girls a sense of belonging which goes a long way towards keeping their mental health in check as they are able to share their experiences, challenges, hopes, and dreams. This way they have purpose, and this encourages them to keep their lives together and avoid the possible and rampant pitfalls of drugs, crime, and prostitution.
Nduguz for Dada holds various activities to raise money not only to scout for and nurture sports talent, but other talents as well. For instance, they periodically organize exchange programs in the different areas and aside from playing football, the girls also exchange skills like soap/detergent making, beadwork, and mat making.
Last year, they approached Safaricom Foundation through Ndoto Zetu initiative, and they were given a donation of a 100 seater tent and 100 chairs which are in high demand for short term lets. At the going rate of 50 bob per chair and an additional 50 bob to sit under the tent, this soon became a good economic venture given the number of football tournaments that are usually held by different groups in the informal areas.
This is now a running business, and they no longer hold fund raisings to register for leagues because they have a kitty to take money from. They also have enough lunch money for the girls when they go to play outside of their home ground. What’s more, there is never a shortage of sanitary towels for the girls and they also give them upkeep money for daily expenses.
Through the stewardship of Nduguz for Dada, Santos Queens are registered with the Football Federation of Kenya and are therefore able to take part in different tournaments under the name Juves. One of the highlights of their time is taking part in Chapa Dimba – a grassroots sports development program also from Safaricom. Though they did not go far with this, it is a highlight and a clear example of the endless possibilities that lie in sports.
To Safaricom Foundation, he would like to say thank you. The tent and seats have not only empowered the girls, but the ripple effects of economic empowerment are visible in the area. Parents of the girls and other groups also hire them when they have functions in church and chamaas. There are requests even from as far as Mathare and Huruma, something that Nduguz for Dada see as an opportunity to also go and start programs in these areas.
This is the spirit of Safaricom’s Ndoto Zetu. To grow together with communities by facilitation the fruition of their dreams.