Holiday Programmes & Child Enrichment
Program Overview
We offer a vibrant mix of daycare services, mentorship, arts, and dynamic sports initiatives. By providing a safe haven, we not only protect children from the harsh realities of the slums but also help them discover hidden talents, build teamwork, and develop vital life skills that go beyond the classroom.
What We Do
- Barrizi Football Program: A highly structured youth football league that keeps teens and children engaged. It teaches discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness while providing a pathway for scouting athletic talent. We provide kits, coaching, and a safe playing environment.
- Safe Daycare Services: Providing a secure, supervised environment for younger children so their guardians can continue working without worry.
- Mentorship & Life Skills: Interactive sessions addressing peer pressure, hygiene, and self-esteem.
- Arts & Acrobatics: Creative outlets including music, arts, and taekwondo to foster physical and mental agility.
- Holiday Feeding: Ensuring the critical daily meals provided during the school term continue uninterrupted during breaks.
Special Initiative: The Barrizi Football Program
Sports are a powerful catalyst for change. The Barrizi Football Program was established to harness the raw talent and boundless energy of youth in the Dandora slums, turning idle holiday time into structured athletic development. By offering professional coaching, organized tournaments, and life-skills workshops, the football program keeps vulnerable youth away from crime, drug abuse, and the dumpsite.
Program Structure
- Age Groups: U-10, U-14, and U-18 categories for both boys and girls.
- Professional Coaching: Weekly training sessions led by experienced local coaches and mentors.
- Tournaments: Regular competitive matches and community tournaments to build teamwork and community spirit.
- Holistic Health: Players receive health check-ups and nutritious meals during training sessions.
Why Football?
In Dandora, football is more than a game it's a universal language and a safe haven. The program teaches discipline, resilience, and leadership. Beyond the pitch, we integrate educational monitoring, ensuring that every player is also performing well academically. For exceptional talents, we provide scouting pathways to sports academies and scholarships, opening doors to professional careers that break the cycle of poverty.
Our Goals
Short-term Goals
- Keep 100% of enrolled children completely away from the Dandora dumpsite during school holidays.
- Use the Football Program to engage high-risk male and female teens who are otherwise hard to reach.
- Ensure continuous nutrition for children who rely on school feeding programs.
Long-term Vision
- Develop the Barrizi Football Program into a recognized community academy that can secure sports scholarships for talented youth.
- Create scalable models of community enrichment that can be replicated in other informal settlements.
- Build lasting confidence and leadership skills in our youth.
Our Impact
- Zero reported incidents of enrolled children returning to scavenging during the holiday months.
- Hundreds of youths successfully engaged in our sports and arts programs, diverting them from crime.
- Provided a safe haven for children like Jasmine (4 years old), moving them from wandering the slums hungry to thriving in a protected environment.
How You Can Help
- Donate Sports Gear: We urgently need footballs, boots, jerseys, and training equipment for the Barrizi Football Program.
- Sponsor a Holiday Camp: Help fund the daily meals and activities for our month-long holiday programs.
- Volunteer as a Coach/Mentor: Share your athletic skills, artistic talents, or life experience with our youth.