Overview

Sports for Life (SFL), funded by USAID/West Africa and PEPFAR, was an HIV/AIDS prevention and care program for youth. Originally implemented under the Health Communication Partnership (HCP), the CCP-led SFL project improved lives and motivated youth in both rural and urban environments in eight countries across Africa. CCP launched an SFL pilot in Côte d’Ivoire in August 2006. SFL used soccer as a foundation to promote life skills and healthy behaviors among youth. The program centered on a series of interactive games and small group activities, including community outreach.

Accomplishments

• Developed a variety of mass media products, including television and radio spots featuring Yaya Touré of Côte d’Ivoire’s national soccer team and Alain Gouamené of the national youth team. On January 20, 2008, JHU/CCP launched its TV and radio campaign entitled “Play for Life” at the African Cup of Nations tournament (reaching 5 million viewers).

• Trained 242 trainers from partner organizations who went on to implement the SFL program with 2,721 youth from school health clubs, soccer centers and community teams through tournaments which serve to enhance group identity among participants and promote healthy behaviors.

• Reached 70,000 youth and adults during community outreach events, sensitized 20,854 adults and youth on HIV testing and reached 36,000 youth and adults through SFL tournaments.