Sport Shows a New Way for Inclusion and Unity in South Sudan
Sport Shows a New Way for Inclusion and Unity in South Sudan
Light for the World – Licht für die Welt e.V.
Partner
South Sudan
Location
3 Years
Duration
Introduction
A sports program in one of the world’s youngest countries tackles old ethnic divisions, gender-based discrimination, and ableism.
A photo of a blind football players cheering after scoring a goal at Dr. Biar Sports Complex. Taken on December 5, 2024. Photo by Kabowo Juma, Nema/ LIGHT FOR THE WORLD South Sudan.
Community details
In 2013, two years after South Sudan formed, a civil war broke out, leaving lasting effects the country is still recovering from. Widespread tension and discrimination along ethnic lines persist. UNHCR estimates that as of 2024, there are nearly 2.4 million internally displaced people and another 2.2 million South Sudanese refugees in other countries, many of whom are children. Food insecurity, climate change, and violence have only further compounded the humanitarian crisis. LIGHT FOR THE WORLD’s project in South Sudan’s Pibor, South Bor, and Yambio counties uses sports to bring people from diverse ethnic backgrounds together. It focuses on youth including girls with disabilities to tackle gender-based discrimination and ableism, which exclude many from sports, social events, and leadership opportunities.
About the project
LIGHT FOR THE WORLD’s project creates community dialogue groups and new sports teams to bring children and young people from diverse ethnic groups together to enable conversations, foster mutual understanding, and promote peace. By getting more girls and women involved in sports, the project aims to combat gender-based discrimination and improve participants' confidence and academic performance. The project tackles ableism and increases access to sport for people living with disabilities to play sports by expanding a blind football league and bringing disabled and non-disabled young people together in school sports. To further enhance disability inclusion and reduce hate and discrimination, coaches and educational stakeholders undergo capacity-building training.
A photo of two Blind football players at Buluk Primary School in Juba. Photo by Kabowo Juma, Nema/ LIGHT FOR THE WORLD South Sudan.
United by Sport
LIGHT FOR THE WORLD’s project creates community dialogue groups and new sports teams to bring children and young people from diverse ethnic groups together to enable conversations, foster mutual understanding, and promote peace. By getting more girls and women involved in sports, the project aims to combat gender-based discrimination and improve participants' confidence and academic performance. The project tackles ableism and increases access to sport for people living with disabilities to play sports by expanding a blind football league and bringing disabled and non-disabled young people together in school sports. To further enhance disability inclusion and reduce hate and discrimination, coaches and educational stakeholders undergo capacity-building training.
Requested grant amount
€700,000
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