Initiative concluded "Save the dream"in cooperation with Qatar Charity and Qatar Fund for Development, a series of field activities in the city of Garowe, in the Somali state of Puntland, as a continuation of the implementation of the capacity building program within the project "Saving the dreams of children in Somalia through sport"reaching more than ten thousand young people and their families in the city.
The project comes as part of an initiative "Sport for development and peace" Led by the Qatar Fund for Development in partnership with Qatar Charity, which seeks to highlight sport as an effective tool for building societies, empowering and inspiring children and youth in least developed countries to contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which recognizes sport as an important enabler of sustainable development.
The project, which was developed with institutional support from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), aims to promote peace and reconciliation in Somalia, by empowering youth and giving opportunities to vulnerable groups. The project, which was launched in November 2022, aims to pave the way for launching new and long-term programs and initiatives. term, aiming to empower and inspire young leaders through sport, as well as promote sport as a tool for positive social change in their communities.
The early stages of the project saw the launch of a program "Train the trainers" Which aimed to train local experts by organizing workshops, inter-school football tournament, sports clinics inside IDP camps, schools, and sports facilities. The Advanced Capacity Building Program for Sport for Development and Peace was also organized with the participation of 50 representatives of stakeholders, including local teachers, physical education teachers, community development actors, and representatives from municipalities, institutions, sports and educational federations, universities, NGOs and youth leaders. Initiative Partners "Sport for development and peace" During the program, sports materials, resources, and tools are provided to local authorities, to support them in organizing future sports activities and educational programs.
The project also included the organization of the first inter-school football tournament in Garowe, which the locals called the Tournament "Cup saved the dream"In full coordination with the municipality, schools and the local community of the city, the tournament was hosted by Jambul Secondary School in Garoowe, with the participation of eight schools from different parts of the city, where 120 students from four secondary schools and four primary schools, including two schools for children from internally displaced persons camps, competed. With the adoption of a round robin system for competitions. Gumball School won its match against Al-Waha School in the secondary school finals, while Shabelle School for Internally Displaced Persons defeated Gilab 2 School for Internally Displaced Persons, thus winning the title of the first edition of the Championship. "Cup saved the dream".
Since its launch, the project has benefited from the expertise provided by the implementing partners, namely: Qatar Charity, Qatar Fund for Development, and the Qatar Charity Initiative. "Save the dream"In addition to many other leading organizations such as UNESCO, Aspire Academy, Qatar University, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and the Organization for Sport and Development.
Mr. Nawaf Al-Hammadi, Assistant CEO of Operations and International Programs Sector at Qatar Charity, said: "We are pleased with the results achieved by this phase of the project / saving the dreams of children in Somalia through sports /, which is an opportunity to enhance capacity building through football, and we affirm our continued partnership and support with the partners of the Sports for Development and Peace initiative, to reach out to local communities, and benefit from Positive values ​​of sport, as sport has a unique ability to bring people together, while providing safe spaces for interaction between refugees and internally displaced children and youth".
In turn, Mr. Sultan Al-Asiri, Deputy Director General for Projects at Qatar Fund for Development, said: "Sport plays an essential role in the lives of children and youth. It promotes peace and a sense of community. Qatar Fund for Development supports these initiatives because they are in line with our mission to use sport as a means of development and peace.". Professor Hubert Jejzen, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Africa, said: "UNESCO partners with Save the Dream for Sport for Development and Peace in its holistic model approach that focuses on community and capacity building to empower youth as drivers of positive change in Garoowe City and beyond by harnessing the power of sport, which aligns with the UNESCO Fit For Life initiative".
For his part, said Mr. Massimiliano Montanari, CEO of the International Center for Sports Security and Initiative "Save the dream": "It is gratifying to see local stakeholders benefiting from the tools we have provided them to help them acquire the capabilities that will enable them to take the lead with a solid vision for the future they aspire to achieve. over the years to come. We now seek to continue our work here and expand the Garowe project as a successful model for capacity building and youth empowerment throughout Puntland State, Somalia in particular, and in neighboring countries in general.". For her part, Hani Thaljieh said, the first captain of the Palestinian women’s team and an ambassador of Mubadara "Save the dream": "As a Palestinian who grew up in a context of conflict and violence, and like most children and youth here in Somalia, I faced many challenges, but if you have a dream and work hard, you can make your dreams come true.".
Abdul Qadir Mahmoud Mohamed, Mayor of the city of Garowe, also praised the results achieved by the program, stressing the importance of the initiative and its important results at the level of promoting sports as a means of building peace, overcoming cultural, political and social barriers, and contributing effectively to the integration of young people living in Somalia, and protecting them from harm. divisions.
