Grassroot Soccer Winter 2013 Newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE: • From our Founder & CEO • Grazrutsoka in Nigeria • VCT: The GRS Approach • From the Pitch: Freddie Ljungberg Joins the Team • One Student’s Journey

WINTER 2013 VOL.3, ISSUE #1

GRS BRINGS HIGH RATES OF HIV TESTING TO COMMUNITIES

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (or “VCT”) is a key part of the Grassroot Soccer approach. VCT provides the opportunity for people to know their HIV status with counseling support to help them cope with a positive or negative test result. Knowing one’s HIV status is a key part of preventing the spread of HIV.

In the communities where we work, Grassroot Soccer has been very successful in implementing VCT opportunities and maximizing their reach. For example, in Zambia, the testing rate of GRS graduates is four times greater than the national average for youth! (62 percent vs. 13 percent). To date, GRS has facilitated testing for over 50,000 people. Learn more about our testing measures and their impact inside this issue.

Young people line up for Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing at a Grassroot Soccer event in Khayelitsha, South Africa.

A LETTER FROM GRASSROOT SOCCER CEO TOMMY CLARKDear Friends,

Thank you for taking a moment to learn more about how GRS is using soccer to support UNAID’s mission to get to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero related AIDS deaths. Our innovative work in testing and treatment is a fantastic example of this.

Let’s start with the basics: most people don’t know if they have HIV or not. If they knew, and they were HIV positive, they could get on medication which would add years to their life and make it very difficult to spread HIV to others. Young people in particular are unlikely to take a test, even though it could positively change their lives and the lives of others. Why? As you probably knew or guessed, discrimination and fear are at the core.

What a great opportunity for GRS!

Our intervention includes 10 hours of fun, interactive life-skills and HIV education led by a coach - a cool and responsible mentor; a home visit by that mentor to involve the family; and a graduation that is also a soccer tournament and testing event. It creates a new social norm in which testing and support are expected. If a young person is HIV+, their mentor will accompany them to clinic on their first day. And should that young person fall out of the clinical system at any point, the GRS mentor will visit the home to try to understand why and bring them back into the system.

Our results are clear and compelling: the testing rate of GRS graduates in this model is more than four times the national average.

Finally, please take a moment to read the story of Alice on the next page. This is why we do what we do.

Boldly and humbly,

Thomas S. Clark, MDFounder & CEO

VCT: THE GRASSROOT SOCCER APPROACHGRS has had success in the adoption of Voluntary HIV Counseling and testing through two main approaches:

EDUCATION: During our HIV prevention education (Skillz) programs, our coaches teach young people why testing is important. According to the United Nations Population Fund, “Knowing one is HIV negative can serve as a strong motivating factor to remain negative, particularly for those who may otherwise assume it is too late to adopt safer sexual practices. HIV positive individuals may become more motivated to adopt a more healthy lifestyle that improves their health status and slows the progression from HIV infection to symptomatic HIV disease and full blown AIDS.” Additionally, knowing you are HIV positive gives you a chance to protect others from the virus.

Through interactive sessions and by demonstrating to young people that they have supporters, such as their GRS Coaches, our Skillz programs prepare and encourage young people and their familes to test.

VCT TOURNAMENTS: HIV testing is made available to entire communities through Grassroot Soccer’s volunteer-led community soccer tournaments. By combining a fun day of soccer and games with free and easy access to health services, we reach thousands of youth in Africa each year. These events help communities to associate HIV testing with maintaining good health and reduce fear and stigma surrounding the process.

STUDENT STORY: JOURNEY TO AWARENESS This story comes from GRS Zambia Coach Fred Kangwa.

After practice one day Alice1, a participant, approached me; she told me she really wanted to go for an HIV test because she had a lot of questions running through her mind. She was scared she might be HIV positive because she was taking medicine regularly; her mother had always told her the medicine was to prevent her from getting yellow fever and would eventually end. Recently she’d been getting suspicious though, because she had been taking the medicine for a long time and no one else was taking it.

I spoke with Alice’s mother; I explained who I was, that her daughter had been going through the Grassroot Soccer program, and that we had a graduation event for Alice on Saturday. I informed Alice’s mother she wanted to go for VCT, and it would be necessary for her to come to the graduation on Saturday to sign the consent form. Her mother gladly accepted with no hesitation.

During practice that day the group decided they wanted to have a participant from the group give a speech at the graduation to say their thanks to GRS and showcase what they had learned. I nominated Alice to be their spokesperson. She later mentioned that being chosen to make the speech meant so much to her, because it was the first time she felt supported and felt someone believed in her potential. From that moment on she started calling me Uncle Fred.

On the day of the graduation, I was a bit anxious. I knew the possibility of Alice testing positive for HIV was high. It took Alice’s mother almost two hours to get there because she lived far away. Unfortunately, due to her late arrival she missed Alice’s speech, but all of Alice’s friends and teachers told her how well she did, and you could tell she was a proud mother.

As we were waiting, they called Alice back into the testing room for another test (this is a back-up check for anyone who tests positive). When the second test result was ready a counselor from our partner clinic, Tiny Tim and Friends, called Alice’s mother into a room for post-test counseling and results delivery. The mother received the confirmation of an HIV positive result and decided she wanted to tell Alice right then. Alice entered the room and the three of them talked for a long time, sobbing and embracing each other. The mother was comforting Alice and telling her everything would be allright. Alice had not known before then that her mother was HIV positive either, so it was a lot for a 15 year-old to take in at once.

After the graduation, Alice transferred from her local clinic and got enrolled at Tiny Tim and Friends. She became involved in their Youth HIV Support Group that meets once a month. Alice has loved being involved in the support group because it allows her to interact with other HIV positive youth and become more accepting of her own status. In addition, I am a counselor at the support group, so I still get to see Alice once a month and stay in touch with her. Whenever I see her, she still thanks me for coming into her life, helping her to know her status, and becoming accepting of her status. In the future she

1 Name of student changed for confidentiality purposes.

Before we went to get Alice tested, her mother pulled me aside and explained to me that both she and Alice were HIV positive. She wanted me to know ahead of time so I could be strong for Alice. I knew it was my job to comfort Alice throughout the whole process and make it as easy as possible. I could tell she was nervous walking into the testing room, so I asked her if she wanted me to get tested beside her as well. She said that would be nice, and I could see her ease up a little. We sat next to each other, had our fingers pricked, and then exited the room to await our results.

A GRS Testing Event in Zambia, including a mobile testing clinic.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: NIGERIA OFF TO A STRONG START

In late 2011, with the support of the ExxonMobil Foundation, Grassroot Soccer began partnering with the Youth Development Initiative (YEDI) in Nigeria. YEDI is a Nigerian NGO committed to introducing effective and innovative approaches to educating, empowering, and inspiring people and communities. Combining GRS’s proven and effective educational approach with YEDI’s strong ties in the Lagos region, “Grazrutsoka” was borne.

Grazrutsoka adapts the GRS model to the Nigerian context through Skillz Naija (or “Skillz Nigeria”) an in-school and faith based program. Skillz Naija is a culture, mindset, and toolkit for educators to use when teaching young people about HIV/AIDS, malaria prevention and life skills. It creates simple but powerful connections between soccer and life skills.

Beginning in November 2011, Grazrutsoka introduced a five-week pilot project in six public schools and one church in Lagos. The initiative trained twenty Skillz coaches, who delivered the Skillz Naija curriculum in the selected public schools. By the second week of December 2011, over 200 kids graduated from the program. A second similar project took place in six other schools in Lagos during the months of February and March of 2012. Both pilot projects were successful, and the program expanded in 2012 to reach more students. To date, over 4,000 young Nigerians have graduated from the Grazrutoska program, and the program aims to reach 12,000 youth in 2013.

According to Grazrutsoka Coach Oluku Uche, “I have learnt more about HIV/AIDS and malaria with the help of Grazrutsoka, and I have changed my family, friends and kid’s perceptions about these diseases.”

This year the program is off to an inspired start with the recent victory of the Nigeria Men’s National Team (the “Super Eagles”) at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. As Fatima Umeike, Grazrutsoka Program Officer says about the win: “It was a victorious one indeed against all odds. For me, it just means that it doesn’t matter where you are coming from or how you started but it’s how much you put in to attain victory in all aspects of your life.” The team’s victory has sparked national pride and will serve to strengthen the power of soccer to deliver important messages to youth throughout the country.

Freddie Ljungberg Joins GRS as Ambassador

Grassroot Soccer recently announced that international soccer star Freddie Ljungberg has joined the organization as an official Ambassador. As an Ambassador, Ljungberg will spread the GRS vision of a world mobilized through soccer to create an AIDS-free generation.

Ljungberg, originally from Sweden, had an illustrious 17-year playing career that included captaining the Swedish National Team and a successful 9-year stint with Arsenal FC. He played a critical role in Arsenal’s success throughout the early 2000’s when the Gunners were considered ‘invincible.’ Other highlights include a spell with West Ham United, prior to moving over to the MLS and playing for both the Seattle Sounders and the Chicago Fire.

Grassroot Soccer Founder and CEO Tommy Clark remarked: “We’re thrilled to have Freddie on the team. We’re dedicated to communicating and connecting with young people on how they can prevent HIV and promote healthier communities. Freddie is passionate about both soccer and our work, and to have him reinforce these messages amplifies their impact. It’s a perfect fit.”

On how he first became interested in GRS’s work after spending time in the township of Khayelitsha, South Africa, where GRS has an extensive program:“I traveled to Cape Town on holiday with my best friend and his children (who I am godfather to). We took a tour of the Khayelitsha township and I was shocked at the poverty. Watching the children run around in these terrible conditions really affected me. But the most impactful part of the trip was when we returned home and the kids asked if they could give some of their toys to the less privileged children as they had so many and the kids in Africa had none. How could I not get involved? I’ve had a blessed career on and off the pitch and I really wanted to give back.”

On joining former Arsenal teammates Robert Pirès, Bacary Sagna (currently playing for Arsenal), and Alex Song (currently playing for Barcelona FC), along with US National Team member Oguchi Onyewu as a GRS Ambassador:“Robert and I are good friends. We’ve had many great experiences together on and off the pitch. I am excited to join him on the Grassroot Soccer team.”

On the universal language of soccer: “I’ve had the privilege of playing in Sweden, England, the USA and Japan and football is truly the universal language. At Arsenal, we would have 10 players on the pitch who all spoke different languages, but we were able to communicate and express ourselves through football.”

FROM THE PITCH

GRS Ambassador Freddie Ljungberg

DID YOU KNOW? After completing the Grassroot Soccer program, graduates are much more likely to speak with their family and friends about HIV and much less likely to stigmatize a classmate with HIV.

You can make a difference - please DONATE today at www.grassrootsoccer.org

U.S. Office: Grassroot SoccerP.O. Box 712Norwich, VT 05055United States

At soccer tournaments like this one, Grassroot Soccer uses the excitement of hard-fought soccer matches to bring free voluntary HIV counseling and testing services to whole communities. This match was decided by penalty kicks!

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