Sports Development
The Buffelshoek Trust is now focusing on engaging in a new and innovative approach to advance education and social change in Mpumalanga, South Africa. With sufficient classrooms for students to learn inside, rather than under trees, it is believed that investment into extracurricular activities is critical for youth development. The project is aimed at providing recreational facilities which promote teamwork and play, and a means to channel the activities of the youth towards more constructive recreation. It is believed that teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, risky sexual behaviour and substance abuse are increasing and hampering the children’s ability to develop optimally. The provision of constructive recreational sporting facilities coupled with life-skills programs would begin to inform the community’s youth of HIV/AIDS and other health issues, as well as provide a venue for the local sports leagues to host tournaments.
The Buffelshoek Trust has begun the development of high quality sports fields at two high schools in the Manyeleti community of Mpumalanga with funding received from FUNDaFIELD, in association with the Student Movement for Real Change. These fields are scheduled for completion in June 2008.
This project would have a greater impact if we are able to provide the five primary schools in the region with fields as well to generate an interest in sport from an early age. This project is aimed to directly impact more than 1,500 learners and innumerable community members.
