Project for peace with Catch'n Serve in Africa enters second stage

The online workshop with ICSBF President Elisabeth Speiser-Havel and Austrian Sports Coordinator Christina Gschweidl-Faltner to provide information and to introduce Catch'n Serve Ball was very well received and further measures and possibilities were discussed.

The Kenyan Volleyball Federation was very interested in trainings for Catch'n Serve Ball coaches. Elisabeth Speiser-Havel provided information about international training seminars and the possibilities of membership in the international federation (ICSBF).

Catch'n Serve Ball Austria has already trained 15 multipliers in the first phase of the project and is proud to be a project partner of Caritas Carinthia once again. About 300 (some disabled) kids in 18 schools now play Catch'n Serve regularly and even want to go to school on Sundays to play.

Background of the project:

The district of Marsabit in northern Kenya is a fragile region facing numerous social and environmental challenges. These include recurring droughts, limited access to health and education services, ethnic tensions between the Gabra, Borana, Turkana, and Rendille communities, and the persistence of harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). Children and young people in Marsabit, especially girls and people with disabilities, are excluded from safe leisure and development opportunities. Boredom and the lack of structured activities often lead young people to engage in risky behavior such as drug abuse or violent conflict.

Sports infrastructure is underdeveloped, and awareness of peacebuilding, inclusion, and child protection remains low.

Angaza 1 Successes:

      Effective Training & Capacity Building:

• Conducted comprehensive training for local sports organizations, and Peace & FGM champions, focusing on inclusive sports, peacebuilding, and FGM prevention.
  
  Successful Implementation of Inclusive Sports Events:
• Organized inter-tribal walking football & Catch’n Serve Ball tournaments, engaging students with and without disabilities across three locations.
• Events fostered inclusivity, broke cultural stigma, and promoted community interaction and teamwork.
• Ensured high participation (941 individuals) including girls, driving peace and dialogue in the community.Enhanced
  
  Advocacy and Community Engagement:
• Peace and FGM champions actively developed messages and slogans for visibility materials and engaged with athletes, fostering discussions on peace and advocating against FGM and for disability inclusion.
• Champions conducted radio talk shows in Borana and Samburu languages, disseminating messages on peaceful coexistence and FGM prevention.
• FGM champions-initiated community sensitization through women's and youth group meetings, and community conversation spaces.
• Community members showed signs of improved peace, with some spending nights in previously rival communities' "territories," indicating reduced hostility.
  
  Strong Accountability and Feedback Mechanisms:
• Caritas Marsabit established and disseminated a toll-free line and SMS line for feedback and complaints, ensuring accessibility for beneficiaries.
• Positive feedback from the community included appreciation for fostering peace and feeling safe to travel between locations.

“How wonderful that Catch 'n Serve can contribute to equality and awareness! In the Leai district, the Rendille and Borana tribes were even brought together through sport and were able to overcome their differences. We look forward to the next stage of the project!”, said Elisabeth Speiser-Havel.

Source text and photos: Caritas Carinthia – Foreign Aid http://www.caritas-kaernten.at  and https://www.facebook.com/caritasdom