Ekhayalethu Sports Project

The project implemented a multi-faceted approach including weekly sports-based interventions focused on life skills and conflict resolution, vocational training in fields like baking and beauty therapy, and academic assistance for underprivileged students. Regular community tour naments were held to promote tolerance and raise awareness regarding refugee rights, providing a safe space for cultural exchange and empowerment. The project directly targeted 280 at-risk refugee youth (200 girls and 80 boys) in Hillbrow. At final reporting, it had reached 240 youths through weekly interventions and over 400 participants through community tournaments. 37 youth were trained in employability skills as well as 20 coaches and 10 peer youth leaders trained in a 3-day workshop using the Coaches across Continents curriculum. 200 youth outside of the project were also indirectly reached as volunteer coaches. Key implementation partners included Coaches Across Continents (USA), UNHCR, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Sisonke Gender Justice, and the African Diaspora Forum. Beyond social cohesion, the project achieved tangible employment results by securing internships and jobs for participants in local bakeries and beauty salons. Future goals include securing longer-term funding to deepen the impact on behavioural change and providing start-up capital for youth-led small businesses