On the 5th of August 2011, HEART’s executive Director, Vickie Winkler, and Staff Huma Kaseu and Jackson Kuboka accompanied by The McGreggor’s Family, Intern Coordinator Katelyn Winslow, Community Transformers; Nick and Njenga and HEART team member Kayde Murphy left for Bware, Migori for a youth sport’s event dubbed ‘Kick out HIV” organized by HEART’s intern Ashlee Negrete, with the help of Christ Care ministries. The aim of the event was to create awareness and educate on HIV/ AIDs scourge that plagues the county. The sporting event included athletics and a soccer tournament that drew participants and teams from different churches around Migori. Also present for the event was The Rotary Club of Migori who came to show their support for the event.
The event activities which lasted for five days saw the participation of over 650 young men and women who constituted 12 male football teams and 4 female teams. It involved all members of the community as the elders and the pastors were part of the organizing committee. The preliminary soccer rounds were played on Wednesday and Thursday while the knock outs were played on Friday and Saturday. Before the semi final knock outs the participants went through HIV education training, facilitated by Nick and Njenga of Community Transformers. Jackson Kuboka, taught on the importance of hand washing in the prevention of diseases and preparation of safe drinking water using either traditional methods, boiling or modern methods (purifying tablets). The group then was divided into smaller groups according to age groups and sex for more targeted HIV/AIDs education the sessions were facilitated by Community Transformers, HEART staff and Team. Dr. James McGreggor who is a Hospice Doctor met with the ‘Migori Pastors Fellowship’ President and members of The Migori Rotary club and gave tips on dealing with death.
The male soccer tournament was won by Riat Church and the runners up were Christ Care while the female was won by Bahati Church with Christ care emerging as runners up. Both male and female athletics events were won by Bahati church. The award ceremony was opened by more HIV/AIDs education. The Community was grateful for the education, “It’s what this area needed, we seem to have forgotten the dangers of having irresponsible sexual behavior, especially the widows and the young men.” Said Wycliffe, the event organizer.
The event provided an opportunity to spend time at The Christ Care children’s home which is residence to 27 orphaned and vulnerable children in the community. The home received donation for the kids including T Shirts , socks and toys. The smile on the children’s face lingers still.
