In September 2008 experienced Tackle Africa coach Robbie Wood visited the EMIMA project in Tanzania and worked with local coaches, peer educators and young people at several EMIMA football centres. Tackle Africa plans to send a group of coaches to spend two weeks in September 2009 with EMIMA taking part in a coaching project.
EMIMA (a Swahili acronym for Education, Sport and Physical Activity) is a non-governmental organization based in Dar Es Salaam that aims to empower youth through sport. EMIMA’s primary aim is to use sport as a tool for development and youth engagement by conducting sport based activity programs that raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, gender equality, sexual health and other similar issues.
EMIMA’s vision is one of a Tanzanian society in which all youths have the opportunity to enjoy taking part in sport and use that experience to enhance their life skills.
EMIMA currently has a total of 8 centres in some of the poorest communities around Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. These centres provide the venues and equipment for football training and matches, as well as peer education and peer education training for local youth aged 20 and under.
Founded in 2001 with only one centre, EMIMA has now developed and expanded to 8 centres each reaching a range of 150 to 300 girl and boy participants. Since forming EMIMA has had great success in giving youth the opportunity to engage in competitive sport.
Each one of EMIMA’s centres is located in connection with schools allowing for students and residents of the community neighbourhood to become involved with EMIMA centres. Children become involved at the centres by simply showing interest in sport and joining the team. Centre co-ordinators also recruit local children from the neighbourhoods as they notice children who are keen on sport or who may be in need of direction. Any child, male or female, may join any team at the centres.
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