Retrak Uganda

More about Retrak Uganda

Football is regarded as one of the few activities that can bring people together regardless of age, race or background and is one of the key tools used to engage socially excluded street children by Retrak Uganda. Football is used to open the way for communication with children who have lost confidence in society’s ability to care for them and come to Retrak where they will be offered medical attention, food, counselling and shelter.

Many socially excluded street children have suffered neglect, abuse and rejection, and many have lost confidence even in themselves. Participating in football matches at Retrak’s drop-in centre in Kampala not only provides a chance for the children to have fun and keep fit in a safe environment, but also improves health and wellbeing, builds confidence, self esteem, personal discipline and promotes teamwork. In doing this, the project allows youth workers at Retrak Uganda to slowly gain the trust of street children and encourage them to engage in long term resettlement programmes which will ultimately see them make a permanent transition from life to be resettled with their family, foster family or by living independently in the community.

The project also helps develop local community cohesion as street children’s participation in local football tournaments also helps bridge divisions with the local community (whom often view street children negatively), and gives street children the opportunity to socialise with children from other local NGOs, youth groups and schools.