The Wallace Tournament on Saturday was a resounding success. Children from the Lusaka SIA programmes where the UK IDEALS students have been coaching and mentoring came together to play football, basketball, netball and volleyball in Munali. Competition was determined and intense but also, something that really struck me, it was characterised by fairness and inclusivity; for instance, substitutions were common and there was total acceptance when a stronger player was replaced by a less strong one. I am not sure I always experience such an attitude even amongst the veteran teams that I now play for!
However, another thing that struck me was how much of challenge is posed for education when the children are exposed to posters like the one below. This extract from a larger poster, which was covered in messages of similar such rubbish, was on the hut where the children went to get treats during the tournament. How difficult is it to teach a message of sexual health and responsibility when so-called role models (a bishop in this case) sprout drivel like this? This is exploitation of a most sad and infuriating extreme and I only wish societies would legislate against these individuals and organisations, ideally with example length sentences. The harm they will continue to do in the meantime is untold.
Posted in 2013
Scholey.com 