24 days of fabulous exchanges in the Czech Republic
During the last 3 weeks, a delegation of MYSA composed of ten young artists and footballers aged 16-19 and their leader Alphonse Isai travelled around the Czech Republic to raise awareness about several development issues, such as HIV/AIDS prevention and gender equality. As part of the EU funded project Football for Development organised by INEX-SDA in the Czech Republic, MYSA participated in collaboration with Czech high-schools to workshops, seminars, public events, football tournaments, cultural visits and many more activities.
Forming new leaders
In each of the towns that MYSA visited, workshops were organised in schools to raise awareness about development issues and promote the positive role of football towards these issues. Besides, this was a constructive and valuable opportunity for the MYSA youth to exercise their leadership skills. The MYSA boys and girls progressed during the last 3 weeks from observers to actors as they were gradually given more responsibility towards conducting the seminars. As Anthony Kimani affirmed:
“I really found the workshops sessions affirming and helpful to me in a way that I built up my self esteem and confidence in leading workshops”.
This exchange was a great opportunity for the MYSA youth to build up their leadership skills in the prospect of their return to Kenya and the delivery of seminars at the Mathare Youth Sport Association in Nairobi. Caroline Kwende stated:
“I am looking forward to say to my friends and family in Kenya that I can be a good leader and a role model in various countries.”
The Kenyans left the Czech Republic with a baggage full of knowledge and self-confidence, which will allow them to hold leadership roles within their community and eventually forming new leaders.
Positive cultural shock
During this campaign, the MYSA youth experienced new traditions, cultures and ways of living. The language, the food, the educational system, the behaviours, it was not always easy to assume this cultural shock, like George noted for example:
“I was surprised that even under 18 year old youth smokes and drinks in front of their parents.”
Nevertheless, these cultural differences were usually easily overcome, even when the Kenyans experienced the joy of Ice-hockey or when they celebrated the birthday of their comrade by watering her in front of an incredulous Czech crowd. All of the MYSA and Czech young people were eager to experience the culture of the other.
One of the elements of this campaign, which contributed to this success, is the exchange within the hosting families. All of the Kenyans were grateful to them and their affection, and ranked the family friendliness as one of their main satisfaction during this tour. Most them will come back to Kenya with new recipes, expressions and life-skills.
Bridging the gap between North and South
The major positive outcome of this campaign is that Kenyans and Czechs shared a mutual wish to learn from one another and support each other. As Nelius Muthony affirmed:
“The exchange program was exciting because the students from Czech were ready to exchange the ideas that they had and were ready also to acquire new ideas from us.”
This exchange brought two different communities closer together and confirmed the necessity and success of global partnerships, like the leader of the delegation claimed:
“This exchange program in the Czech Republic proves to me the value of global partnership.”
Most of the Kenyans left the country with the feeling that Kenya and Czech Republic have become closer neighbours, bridging some cultural gaps, sharing traditions, assimilating new values and building friendships. Like the youngest of the MYSA team, Joseph wrote in his concluding statement:
“We are one, not two, one heart, one body, one spirit, one soul, I will always remember the beautiful country of Czech Republic.”
