New Project Leaders for 2020/21

We are delighted to have selected five new Huracan Foundation Project Leaders for 2020/21, each of whom, with our support, will be managing a project that uses football to improve the lives of children in their community. The Project Leaders (who are either fellows or alumni of Teach For All)  were selected for their clear understanding of the life-changing benefits that a well structured and effectively run football community project can bring, be that in reducing high levels of school dropouts, minimising gender inequality, or building core socio-emotional skills for children all around the world.

We will be supporting two projects in Uganda, one project in Nepal, one project in Mexico, and one closer to home in London.

A big welcome to our new Project Leaders

Uganda: Tackling primary school dropouts

In Uganda the average primary school drop out rate is 45%, but we know that as a result of child marriages, teenage pregnancies, negative peer pressure, lack of role models and the need to complete work around the house, this rate is much higher amongst girls. So in the district of Kumi, Charles has established three girls’ football teams to help move on from these stereotypes and give the girls a new focus. He will be working with their parents to ensure they understand the need for the girls to be given equal opportunities and the importance of them completing their primary school education, while also aiming to improve both their physical and mental health.

“Charles hopes to have a significant impact on the community’s perception of girls’ abilities and their academic achievements.”

Elsewhere in Uganda, the remote village our Project Leader Kenneth works in has a primary school drop out rate closer to 70%. He works with both boys and girls with a strong focus on using the qualities of discipline, teamwork, respect and conflict resolution that football offers to engage and help develop the children. The project will also give Kenneth a platform to provide guidance and counselling, leadership training and sexual education to the children.

“With the children on board with his football project, Kenneth hopes to give them the impetus and the incentive to increase their attendance at school and ultimately their school performance.”

Nepal: Reducing gender inequality

In Nepal patriarchal norms are deep rooted and child marriages are still prevalent with 40% of girls getting married before their 18th birthday and 7% before the age of 15.

Bidi works in Dang, a very rural district in western Nepal where gender inequality is ubiquitous, and most families do not understand the need for girls to receive the same education as their brothers. She will be bringing girls together to play football which will immediately give them access to regular physical education, help increase their confidence and ensure their parents give them time away from chores around the house.

“In the longer term, Bidi hopes this will start to change perceptions and mindsets, help improve school attendance and reduce levels of child marriage and child labour, giving girls a real optimism and thirst for their lives ahead.”

London: Improving school performance

At the Alec Reed Academy in West London, the proportion of students receiving the Government’s Pupil Premium grant is above average and many children face numerous challenges in order to reach their full potential.

Our Project Leader Ross is establishing a local Huracan football project that aims to increase student leadership skills and build confidence levels in under-performing students, by finding different ways to recognise non-academic achievements. And the school is aware that, when combined with another structured program, sports participation can add up to ten months’ progress for low performing students on their academic performance.

“Ross aims to instil a real sense of inspiration and direction in these children through football, and is hoping to see improvements in school attendance, behaviour and performance as well as better fitness levels.”

Mexico: Increasing school attendance and performance

Mexico has the fifth highest number of children (33m) affected by school closures this year. Ulises is working with children in one of the largest and most violent municipalities in Mexico, where he will be using football both as an incentive to increase participation in academic subjects and also to focus on the development of socio-emotional skills. He will be starting with a group of 37 students but aims to grow this to at least 100 over the course of the year. This support will be critical given the disruption children have experienced this year.

“By combining a strong focus on core academic subjects and practical football training that incorporate the teaching of empathy, teamwork, resilience, communication skills and conflict resolution, Ulises aims to help these children reach the next academic level.”

During the year we’ll be tracking the increased attendance of these children at school, any improvement in their school performance, the levels of early child marriages and much more.

Get involved

Join us in following and supporting their journey, and if you would like to get involved in any way please email mary@thehuracanfoundation.org.