Vessels of Honor Soccer Program
HIV/AIDS education and prevention is taught during practices and tournaments through the Empower International Community Soccer Program. Participants are in and out-of-school male youth, young adults and community members. Well over 1,000 soccer players have participated on over 50 soccer teams. Community spectators are also taught during half time and tournaments. To date, over 25,000 Kenyans have been impacted by this program.
The importance of reaching out-of-school youth is critical. Statistically, the rate of HIV/AIDS is higher among out-of-school youth because of lack of HIV/AIDS prevention education and positive, healthy activities. The soccer program provides this opportunity to these youth. In 2006, the first Empower International soccer tournament was won by a team formed by out-of-school youth in Ruiru, Kenya that competed against local high school soccer teams.
Empower International also developed soccer teams for women ages 15-50 in Machinery, Kenya. This has provided women in this community a unique opportunity to participate in a sport within a predominately male culture. The uniqueness of these teams draws people from around the community during games and tournaments which give the Empower International HIV/AIDS Prevention Specialists the opportunity to share critical HIV/AIDS prevention information.
Emphasis is placed on the emotional, physical and spiritual health of the players and spectators. Voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and testing is strongly encouraged, which is provided by trained Empower International staff, medical clinics partnered with Empower International, and local VCT centers. Private counseling is provided by Empower International trained counselors and/or pastors to soccer players when needed. And soccer players and spectators have the opportunity to learn about the importance of putting their faith in Jesus Christ and how to develop and grow a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ.