#SelfMade #BeyondSoccer #QualityEducationLifeLongLearning
Do More, Be More & Be Different
On 2nd January 2022, we were honored to host the first Skill Up session in collaboration with Mathare North Rangers F.C and Red Eagles F.C. The teams are based in Mathare North community and they are among the few community teams in the area that have different age categories from U10, U13, U15 and the senior teams respectively.
Wilsen Initiative (Wi) Skill Up program.
Skill Up program offers a platform that enables the participants learn to learn, acquire new skills, explore more about themselves, co-create, express themselves, connect with mentors etc.
The program seeks to empower and encourage the youth and children to use their acquired skills and talents for prosperity.
The program main pillar is based on quality education and lifelong learning.
SKill Up Program - Grassroots Soccer Clubs / Initiatives.
The session seeks to engage the youth who are actively involved in soccer activities to live a more responsible life and take education seriously as part of the important pillars of their development.
Wilsen initiative (Wi) advocates for lifelong learning, sports for development and the importance of education in all spheres of life.
These are areas that need more emphasis, especially to children and youth playing soccer in disadvantaged communities like Mathare, Korogocho, Kibera, Kayole, Kariobangi, Huruma, Mukuru Kwa Reuben just to mention but a few.
Many children and youth playing soccer in the informal settlements have the desire to build a lucrative career in the game especially by playing for top foreign clubs.
The irony is that the environment they live in doesn't resemble, promote or connect with that dream because of lack of proper infrastructure, poor leadership, lack of opportunities, lack of funding, are just some of the hurdles in a long list that keeps blocking the next generation stars to live their dreams.
There are a few exceptional stories that have made it to greater heights in the game, but their stories can't be told without mentioning the struggles, frustration, lack of support, disappointments, uncertainty etc. within their development journey in becoming professional soccer players.
The question is, how many soccer stars have we lost along the way due to the prevailing environment of uncertainty and different constraints?
Below are the Session Highlights;
Teams:- Mathare North Rangers and Red Eagles F.C
Team official present; Mathare North Rangers F.C (Edwin, Banda, and Omore) and Red Eagles F.c (David,Vicky and Joe).
Date:- 2nd January 2022.
Venue: - Drive Inn Primary School.
Facilitator & Mentor Brief Bio;
Simon Odhiambo is a life skills trainer (coach); having trained under the Kenya Youth Empowerment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP) being driven by his commitment to transform lives of youth through training by creating a platform where they can display their skills plus talents and gain sustainable income.
Wilson Masaka has more 18+ years valuable experience of the web design process, teaching, leadership and working in teams, which he acquired from working with different NGO's and the community at large. He love teaching youths from diverse backgrounds especially from the underprivileged communities. He also believes in the World of sharing of knowledge and skills, as the old adage says, knowledge is power!
The Main Objectives Of the Session;
- Explain the life in soccer, especially during the transition. The main highlight being education and soccer, the great values in a player that guarantees progress etc.
- Instill the culture of discipline on and off the pitch.
- Encourage more self exploration in participating in meaningful activities beyond soccer.
- How to develop a career in soccer, life after school and the school life.
Group Discussion and Insights;
1. Qualities of a great soccer player.
- The quality of a great community soccer club (grassroots football).
- Discuss life after soccer and come with 10 important points.
- What Do You Want to Become In The Future. List 10 things you need / must to do.
Personal insights / quotes as shared during the session;
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" Let us not only focus on training and winning matches, but also make deliberate efforts in developing whole rounded stars with the admirable quality on and off the field." Wilson Masaka
- " Take precautions on over relying on playing soccer as a gateway towards achieving your dreams. Make sure as long as you play soccer you must also develop other skills, acquire the appropriate knowledge, connect with the right networks and make sure you get educated by going to school." - Wilson Masaka
- " Sports offer good opportunity, but without an education you aren't sure that you will definitely make it. Injury is one of the threats towards your soccer career, so if you don't have a good education foundation and support, things might be very tough on your side in case you are out of play because of injury. " - Kamuzi Banda
- " Education is the surest bet in achieving your dream. Play soccer to the best of your ability, but remember there will come a time you will quit playing and one of the things you will remain with is the education " - Edwin Kipkoech
- " You must have the right values to prosper in life. Professionalism starts with the things you do, what you say, how you say it, how you dress, etc. There is nobody born knowing everything but you need to make it your responsibility to learn new things everyday. Just note, there's time for everything so plan for it appropriately. " - Coach Davie
- " You have to Dream, Plan and Do. Don't let yourself loose by doing things in randomness. Take time to study who you are, what you want, what you need and how to do it. This is a process and never an event. You have to always repeat it several times to make it a habit that will ensure success." - Simon Odhiambo.
- " It is a new year, which could also mean 365 opportunities on offer. Grab every moment of the day by staying focused and by doing the right things. Don't waste the your time doing unnecessary stuff, and when it's time to learn we learn and when it's time to play we play. We should always separate the two and trust that no matter any hurdle towards our development, we shall overcome through self discipline, working smart, team work and individual brilliance. " Coach Joe
- " Don't just pass through school, but make it part of your pillar of excellence by attaining good grades. There is a time for everything that you want to do and with the right attitude, discipline, preparation, hard work and being teachable you will excel in everything that you do." - Victor, Mathare United player.
Session was organised by Red Eagles F.C, Mathare North Rangers, Wilsen Initiative (Wi) & +throughMylens.
We look forward to more of this kind of interactions with the children and the youth in different spaces.
There's more we can offer towards children and youth development out of school life. We need to amplify our efforts through collaboration and networking as a way of fast tracking our impact on society, society where the gaps keep on widening especially on mentorship, resource acquisition, training and infrastructural support.
Let the year 2022, be a year full of collaboration towards achieving a desired goal of nurturing the next generation stars in our community.
