Grassroot Soccer, a UNAIDS partner

On 5 May 2011, during the meeting of the UNAIDS High Level Commission on HIV Prevention, taking place in South Africa, commissioners took time out to visit the Grassroot Soccer initiative in Capetown.

The commissioners visited the Football for Hope Centre during a Skillz Street practice session involving around 100 girls. Grassroot Soccer uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV. It builds basic life skills that help boys and girls adopt healthy behaviours and live risk-free.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé thoroughly enjoyed getting a chance to play football with the girls and was struck by the impact the centre is having on the community. "Here in Khayelitsha, the Football Centre for Hope is not just a project. It is a social meeting point for girls to protect themselves from HIV and become tomorrow's football stars," he said.

More information at www.un.org/sport.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• unosdp
• un office on sport
• unaids
• united nations
• sport for development
• development through sport
• michel sidibé
• grassroot soccer
• special adviser on sport