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May 20, 2022
At Beyond Sport, we firmly believe that when used with intention, sport provides strong solutions to the complex social issues that divide us – across communities, countries and conflicts. In this context, it is a powerful tool to advance human rights in the direst of circumstances. In our latest series, we have been highlighting just a few of the sport for development organizations in our network that are providing vital support, safe relocations, equipment and resources to those directly affected by crises around the world.
Closing out our series, today we’re featuring the Swiss Academy for Development (SA4D) which has been supporting humanitarian efforts in South Sudan alongside their partner, Community Psychosocial Support Organisation, and the resulting refugee impacts on neighboring Uganda. We’ve also included a link provided by the organization with ways you can help. #SameTeam
THE CRISIS
South Sudan became independent in 2011, however, since 2013, political conflict, economic struggles, and flooding have caused a humanitarian emergency. Thousands have lost their lives, nearly four million people have been driven from their homes, 1.6 million are displaced internally and over two million have fled to neighboring countries. Uganda has become the largest South Sudanese refugee-hosting country in the world, followed by Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya. 63% of South Sudanese refugees are under the age of 18.
In December 2013, violence erupted between presidential guard soldiers from the two largest ethnic groups in South Sudan after the vice president was removed from power. From the outbreak of conflict, armed groups targeted civilians along ethnic lines, committed widespread rape and sexual violence, destroyed property, looted villages and recruited children into their ranks. A seven-year civil war followed, and while a peace deal was considered in 2018, fighting between communities and the government continue.
This has created extreme levels of acute food insecurity with an estimated 8.3 million people, including refugees, expected to experience devastating famine. Women and children the most affected and they also represent the majority of those fleeing South Sudan as survivors of violent attacks and sexual assault. Altogether, the rising food insecurity, sub-national violence, a second consecutive year of major flooding, and the impacts of COVID-19 have deepened an already dire crisis.
SWISS ACADEMY FOR DEVELOPMENT (SA4D)
Founded in 1991, SA4D is using sport and play to empower disadvantaged children and young people, providing health, education and employment opportunities. Their ‘People on the Move’ (PotM) program, implemented in partnership with CPSO (Community Psychosocial Support Organisation), operates in the cross-border region between Uganda and South Sudan, with a focus on South Sudanese refugees in camps located in Northern Uganda and returnees in Southern parts of South Sudan. We spoke to Project Manager Andrea Wynistorf and CPSO Director Kenneth Godi about the program and their efforts.
South Sudanese NGO, CPSO, was founded – that time under another name – in 2004 in Kajo Keji to provide psychological and psychosocial support for victims of war and other forms of violence. Furthermore, the organization is officially registered and well connected in Uganda and works closely with the refugee camp authorities and health centers. It is run by refugees as Project Managers and coaches – mainly female, as they especially know what it means to have to leave everything behind. SA4D and CPSO have been working together since 2012, using sport and play to help South Sudanese refugees deal with trauma and improve their wellbeing.
From 2012 to 2016, the organizations implemented an earlier phase of the project – ‘Women on the Move’ (WotM) – which used sport to help women navigate their war-related trauma. “I like the physical fitness part of the sessions because I don’t feel the pains and fatigue anymore. I also like the education skills on how to care for the family and children…Now I can help other women like myself. Before I could barely care for myself. Before I couldn’t share my problems – now I can share and seek help,” shared a 27-year-old participant from the WotM program.
The current PotM project began in 2021 to expand upon the previous phases’ success and move into areas that were previously unreachable. It will run through till 2024. SA4D uses the ‘Interactive Learning Cycle’ approach, which means that all physical activities or life skill games are followed by a three-step discussion. First, participants reflect on the activity, for example, a ball game symbolizing the importance of support-seeking behavior in times of challenges. Second, they connect the activity to real-life situations. Finally, they share experiences and discuss how the lessons learned through the activity can be applied in real life.
“Projects incorporating sport and play are especially useful in addressing peace, gender equity, social integration, economic development and health,” said Andrea. “In addition to the many health benefits of physical activity, sport and play can act as an entry point and catalyst to prevent psychosocial problems and cope with trauma. This has proven to play a powerful role in re-establishing normalcy and supporting mental health in post-disaster situations.”
According to CPSO, in addition to the experience of war, the lack of prospects for the future has a negative impact on young people’s well-being. In the previous project phases, sport and play were mainly used by SA4D to address trauma. However, the current phase of the project will be extended to the educational context and livelihood of the children. It will benefit around 9,800 war-affected refugees in Uganda, as well as returning children, youth and adults or those who stayed in South Sudan.
“In areas where there is sufficient peace and where rehabilitation can start, psychosocial support to overcome war-related trauma is essential,” said Godi. “There needs to be rehabilitation programs for the displaced and the returnees, which include infrastructure re-builds, and vocational skills training for young men and women. Additionally, the promotion of sport to foster peace and peaceful coexistence with different ethnic groups in the country who have been in conflict with each other is needed.”
The three-year project runs sport-based community activities to overcome war-related trauma, and promote psychosocial health and social cohesion. It operates in more than 30 primary and secondary schools in South Sudan helping children to continue education in a safe environment and further support their mental wellness. Health activities are complemented by advanced counseling, therapy sessions and clinics. The program also contributes to the renovation of destroyed schools.
“Many South Sudanese children have had to interrupt their schooling or have been able to continue it only in inadequate facilities – in schools that lack teaching staff and materials. The project aims to contribute to the urgently needed renovation and the possible reopening of damaged schools. The rehabilitation of schools in need of renovation will provide children with their right to education and the opportunity to grow up, not merely as victims of the conflict, but to develop their full potential in a protected, engaging environment. Sport and play will be used as a powerful means to support the student’s psychosocial and physical health.”
Andrea explained that the overall goal of the project is to contribute to a healthy and self-determined future for all war-affected children and young people. “War-related trauma, poverty, inadequate access to food, clean water and hygiene facilities, unemployment and (sexual) violence, especially against girls and women, are widespread in South Sudan. Children and adolescents are particularly affected due to war experiences at a young age. The interruption of their education and the lack of employment prospects can lead to a feeling of hopelessness for a better future.”
All sessions are facilitated by trained psychosocial assistants and coaches who know the context and symptoms of trauma and are trusted and accepted by the communities including the participants, the parents of children as well as authority and camp leaders.
SA4D and CPSO want to expand the PotM school rehabilitation program to additional counties and regions that need support to restore and reconstruct what was destroyed by the war. Their combined hope for the future is ultimately peace in South Sudan.
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