Stephanos Foundation says one way of tackling mental health issues among students is keeping them busy with various sporting activities.
Executive Director of Stephanos Foundation in Malawi, Clifford Kuyokwa, said youths when left idle, engage in unproductive behaviours that jeopardise their future. He further said during the long holidays youths need to be kept busy via various strategies such as engaging them in sporting activities. Kuyokwa noted that issues of mental health can be addressed when youths are engaged in activities like sports evangelism.
Stephanos’s innocent Ngolomi (Left)
Sharing messages to the youth.
Kuyokwa was speaking at Mazengera Full Primary School Ground in Traditional Authority Mazengera in Lilongwe during the Foundation’s Sports Evangelism Day.
“As you know sporting activities are crowd pullers. Stephanos Foundation as a Christian organisation uses sports to engage the youth physically and spiritually. During the games, we share behavioural change messages as well as scriptures with the youth. The model works because we reach out to a large number of youths at the same time,” said Kuyokwa.
Football teams pose with Stephano’s staff before kick-off
In her remarks, Eckima Chikafa, Lilongwe District Council Sports Officer lauded Stephanos Foundation for organising the bonanza that saw many youths participating through their respective teams.
“As a council, we appreciate what Stephanos Foundation is doing in engaging the youth right in their respective areas. We can build a better nation with productive youths. Secondly, these tournaments are key in talent identification. Who knows? These players will end up in Super League teams and the national team someday?” Observed Chikafa.
Girls also participated in the games
Headmaster for Mazengera Primary School, McDonald Chabwera, said the Foundation’s youth strategy is helping to control bad behaviours among youths in the area.
“As teachers, we keep the youth when schools are in session. However during the holidays, we need partners like Stephanos Foundation to keep them busy,” said Chabwera.
During the games, Mazengera Girls Netball Team beat Tsabango Netball Team with 12 goals to 7. In football, Bango Football Team walloped Nyama Football Team by 3 goals to 1.
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