Sports 4 Peace brings young people in Kakuma together to help them reconcile their differences and learn from, live with and love each other.
Kakuma Refugee Camp hosts people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. This diversity is also reflected among the members of VTC who come from different ethnic backgrounds and countries. Despite the fact that most of these people fled wars, persecutions, and other problems in their countries, peaceful coexistence among them can sometimes be very challenging. Trauma from painfully shared experiences in their home countries and culture shock can magnify tensions and cause conflict and violence amongst the different communities in Kakuma.
VTC developed the S4P project to promote reconciliation and peaceful coexistence among the inhabitants of Kakuma Refugee Camp. This is a peacebuilding initiative grounded in the Golden Rule. The golden rule is philosophy found in most religions stipulating that we should do unto others as we would want them to unto us. The rule promotes peaceful coexistence among people in various challenging contexts. Through play and fun activities, participants in the S4P festivals acquire skills and knowledge needed to coexist peacefully. In the S4P festivals, participants play games that foster teamwork, collaboration, unity, respect, love, mutual support, etc.
In 2023, VTC reached 200 young people through its S4P festivals. VTC also worked with the Jesuit Refugee Services, the Focolare Movement, and Fùtbolmas to run three festivals in three different secondary schools across Kakuma. Together, they reached more than 700 young people.
