Today, on the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace, we reflect on the impact of sport in shaping the lives of children and communities worldwide. At Kidasha, we recognise the pivotal role sport plays in fostering holistic and healthy development among children.
Empowering Girls Through Cricket: Kidasha’s Partnership with MCC Foundation
By giving some of the poorest and most excluded children in Nepal an opportunity to play cricket, we have seen enormous change in attitudes and tolerance to differences in ethnicity, religion, and gender. In particular, we have seen girls excel in a sport that they never dreamed they would ever be encouraged and supported to play.
In Pokhara, we partner with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Foundation, driving extracurricular cricket development initiatives across 16 schools. We place a strong emphasis on promoting gender equality, ensuring girls have equal opportunities to participate in cricket programmes. We not only cultivate sporting talent but also facilitate access to broader developmental pathways, including training with local and national clubs.
Championing Change in Butwal: Kidasha’s Programme with Local Partners
Our aim is now to build on our experience in Pokhara, and give more children from marginalised communities the opportunity to play a variety of different sports and to persuade schools to integrate sport into the regular curriculum.
Today, in Butwal we’re hosting an events programme with the education department, sports focal teachers, the SGR team, and local professional sports associations, reviewing the progress of our sports initiatives in schools. This brings together key stakeholders to identify challenges, brainstorm solutions, and explore avenues for further support in integrating sports into educational settings. We’re also organising a friendly volleyball match, symbolising the importance of teamwork and collaboration in driving positive change.
The Power of Sport
Beyond the boundaries of the pitch, we instil life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and leadership, empowering children to thrive both on and off the field.
Despite the proven benefits of sports participation, many children living in urban poverty in Nepal lack access to these opportunities. But, with your help, we’re changing that.
Donate today to enable children and young people living in chronic urban poverty to have safer brighter futures.