Polio Eradication and Peace Initiatives - through Soccer

Posted by Craig Wilson on Aug 06, 2014
 
The Interact Club of Trinity Mission School in Gilgil, Kenya promotes Rotary Polio Eradication and Peace Initiatives through soccer.  “We have been taught that united we stand and divided we fall. That is why we have decided to be Peace ambassadors through soccer.”
 
They are a bunch of talented girls showcasing their breathtaking football skills. The Gilgil girls soccer team know what it means to tap raw talent. “We want to produce the best soccer players in the country. Just like academics, soccer has become a big time business in the world,” said team coach Patrick Maina.

With its short span of existence, the school has seen one of finest footballers in deadly striker and free scoring Jecinta Nkurao. A master juggler, the skillful Nkurao is a joy to watch as she embarrasses the opposing team defenders with deft touches and insightful passes.   

With enormous work ethic, midfielder maestro, Ann Okemwa works tirelessly to win the ball for her teammates. Other flourishing player includes, the no-nonsense midfielder, Kawira Josephine, lethal strikers, Joyce Mwende and Rachael Wambui.

Coming from a disadvantaged background many of them been orphans, the team has found unity and solidarity in adversity and has been using soccer to bring communities together while promoting cohesion said Nkurao.

These girls and their families suffered extensively from the violence following the national elections in Kenya several years ago., Yet, the girls, during their free time, have literally pitched camp in Naivasha and Nakuru slums and villages playing peace tournaments and developing Polio eradication and education campaigns.

“We speak to people after every match on the need to maintain peace despite their ethnic background and ensuring their children receive polio immunization,” said coach Maina. The teenagers are perhaps, teaching their superiors the art of cohesion despite their tender age and registering a measure of success.

They are also anti-polio campaigners, impressing upon the mothers to have their children vaccinated against the debilitating disease. ‘We use soccer to promote Rotary initiatives like Peace and the eradication of polio’ said Kawira the team captain. The team is part of the school’s Interact Club. 
 
The Rotarians have ensured the youngsters are living their dreams and honing their talent while still promoting Peace and Polio eradication, said Juannitta Ndila the president of the Rotary Club of Naivasha. ‘We are very proud of these girls’, she said.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Naivasha, our eaglets are flying and despite being only two years in existence they are giving established team jitters in school tournaments.


By Rotarian Joe Kamau
Director
Service Projects and Foundation Committee
Rotary Club of Naivasha
District 9212
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Interact-Soccer-Club-Kenya