Everton in the Community and SCU unveil new curriculum to support child rights
On Monday, June 24th, members of the Street Child United (SCU) team travelled to Everton in the Community (EITC) to pilot a ground-breaking training programme. This new curriculum, developed collaboratively by SCU and EITC, and funded by Rawbank, is designed to upskill football coaches and educate them on child rights, specifically targeting street-connected youth living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The curriculum is not just about football; it integrates comprehensive educational and life skills training, leveraging the power of sports and community engagement to foster development and educate on child rights. By empowering coaches with the necessary skills and knowledge, the initiative aims to create a ripple effect that will benefit at-risk youth around the globe.
Next stop...the Democratic Republic of Congo
Street Child United plans to take this innovative curriculum to the DRC in September in partnership with Rawbank. Rawbank is the largest bank in the DRC. They have funded the development of the curriculum as part of their “1 million d’Espoirs” programme to support and strengthen the empowerment of disadvantaged children by using sport as a leverage.
The curriculum will be delivered to two prominent NGOs in Lubumbashi: BUMI and Malaika. Both organisations are dedicated to protecting and supporting vulnerable children within the local community, making them ideal partners for this initiative.
BUMI, a long-standing child protection organisation, and Malaika, a community-driven initiative focused on empowering young girls through education and sport, will implement the curriculum as part of their ongoing efforts. The collaboration aims to enhance the impact of these programmes, providing children with the tools they need to overcome their challenging circumstances and build a brighter future.
Speaking about taking the curriculum to the DRC, Sadock John, one of the lead trainers said:
“I am proud to be part of this game-changing initiative. I am from Tanzania and I know first-hand the difficulties faced by children living on the streets. My experiences have helped shape the teachable moments of the curriculum and I know that it will create a positive impact for these children.”
Everton in the Community, known for its commitment to social impact through sports, expressed their enthusiasm for the project with EITC’s Anthony Harden, Senior Manager, Youth and Support commenting:
“We’re excited to be involved in this collaboration and sharing what we do here at EITC to help change the lives of children in the DRC. At the core, we’re about creating opportunities and making an impact, and that is reflected in the curriculum we have created.”
The partnership between EITC, SCU and Rawbank represents a significant step forward in the global effort to support street-connected youth. By focusing on education, life skills, and child rights, this curriculum aims to create meaningful and lasting change with sport as a vehicle. As the programme rolls out in the DRC and potentially other regions, it will continue to adapt and grow, driven by the shared vision of a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
