A CASE STUDY OF COBAP- UGANDA
BY RACHEL GUTTABINGI V.S.
Good Health is an important asset every one must have and it is
craved for worldwide yet its ideal is scarce in different levels
depending on where one is. It is a paramount responsibility of every
one to find leverage to the best of it. A sport is a tool that can take us
extra miles when used strategically as platform for health
improvement and education.
World Health Organization defines Health thus:
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment
of the highest attainable Standard of health is
one of the fundamental rights of every human
being with our. Distinction of race, religion,
political belief, economic or social condition.”
WHO Constitution, 1946.
According to recent year’s assessment, by WHO, the leading causes
of mortality and disease burden worldwide are HIV/AIDS, Unipolar
depressive disorders, Ischaemic heart disease.
It continues to say that through its experience and scientific evidence
show that regular participation in appropriate physical activity and
sport provides people wide range of physical, social and mental
health benefits. Physical activity and sport support strategies
Therefore, well-designed sports for health initiatives are beneficial.
COBAP-UGANDA is civil society organization that started in 1998 as
a group of health volunteers, which later became an organization
that embraces sports, as a powerful and inspiring tool in changing
communities. It has a vision to have communities transformed in all
aspects of life and its mission is to build people’s capacity to realise
their full potential.
It has taken sports very seriously and designed an integrated sports
program to address various social issues including health, targeting
young people in poor sub-urban areas, which have yielded great
results.
Many addicts of drugs and alcohol are rehabilitated, improved health
practices and economic livelihood realized, several vulnerable youth
becoming national and international stars in sports, some excelling in
academics while others have become leaders in the society thus good
citizens able to contribute to national development and to further social
transformation.
COBAP steps on sports power to attract motivate and inspire in its efforts
to mobilize and empower communities to take action that improves
health especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other related social
issues; through various strategies.
1.
INTEGRATED SPORTS EVENTS;
Health related sports tournaments are organized covering entire program area with
pre-action and criteria set to include health education e.g. Anti AIDS football league
where everyone registering must attend HIV/AIDS workshops and answer questions
of articulation and must come with 2 people mobilized for HIV voluntary blood testing
on the match day. Thus the awarding of points depends on goals scored and the
health activities involved in by the teams.
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Different mind sports are organized alongside health themes,
simulations of disease prevention, social education topics. It is
prerequisite for every group to mobilize audience for their
simulation. Then mind sport competition.
Junior sports leagues in schools are organized where players are
required to attend COBAP schools health clubs where health issues
are debated on regular basis prior the league. These get involved in
child to child mobilization for health improvement.
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Health related games are designed for children below the ages of 12
where thematic health aspects and other social transformation
education is communicated through games. Thereafter, evaluation to
verify articulation is done.
Interactive camps for sports boys and girls are organized where
follow up on health awareness, behavioral change, rehabilitation
from drugs and habits formation is done.
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Health awareness campaigns are organized spearheaded by sports
boys and girls of different disciplines. These organize village based
events set together with health education and social economic
activities.
2.
Health rallies are organized around the communities involving sports boys
especially cyclists who move around distributing IEC materials that are designed
to communicate health messages and later invite the community to health films.
3.
Through sports boys and girls Community and family networks are created.
4.
Sports boys and girls are involved in community disease prevention campaigns
e.g. malaria prevention campaigns, community cleaning and the like.
5.
Through sports activities, COBAP has identified and trained mentors of the
society in health and other social transformation programmes.
5.
COBAP has established a conducive community base for follow up on health,
education, counseling child advocacy, poverty and other social issues.
5.
Self help projects for those that are redundant.
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The community is mobilized for social action and there are a number
of health activities that were initiated by sports boys continuing e.g.
clearing trenches for malaria prevention in the community despite
the limited capacity and resources
Sports campaign have reduced HIV AIDs stigma in the community
because of interaction and integration of everybody to support their
teams and they forget their social differences and conflicts.
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Youth once violent are rehabilitated after finding belonging and
addicts get off drug and other deviant behaviors.
People that were once marginalized and hopeless find position in
society; their self esteem is enhanced through sports hence the
society has entrusted them with leadership positions.
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The health messages on sports grounds have increased health
seeking habit among those that participate.(people come to the
centre voluntarily after sports events).
Those that have excelled in sports, it is not only a talent it has
become a job now; thus their economic status including their
livelihood has improved.
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Leadership development through sports has increased community
resource people who can initiate health and other programs on
their own in the community though small but it gives hope.
Many agents have come to COBAP to Network in social and health
related programs e.g. Baylor college of medicine, Viva and Crane
Networks, Transform Uk, Tear Fund UK. ACET Uganda, UHCF,
Uganda AIDS Commission and The Local Government Uganda and
Churchs.
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COBAP has acted as a model to many grass root projects with in and
outside Uganda.
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Grass root initiatives can guide major programs if well analyzed and
supported as models
The impact of sports should not be just highlighted but grabbed and
used for greater developments
Health and Social Transformation is pivot of all human endeavors
and sports can move it an extra mile
 Poor social Economic status and ignorance in the community
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Excessive demand against meager resources
Poor program prioritization at national policy levels.
Demands Social cultural barriers
Overwhelming work load
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Sports organization should design programs that integrate sports
with spheres that address different aspects of life – fan, skill, health,
economic, social and spiritual enhancement etc
Grass root studies are necessary before designing sports programs
that aim at addressing social issues.
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There are a lot of resources in competitive sports it is time to divert a
bigger portion into sports for social transformation.
Multi-sectoral approaches to health improvement and other social
issues should be adapted; boost the inclusion of sports ventures at
different levels
More studies should be encouraged in these areas.
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ACET Uganda, COBAP Evaluation, 2008
Constitution of the World Health Organization (WHO), 1946
Rachel S.V. G, (2003). “ Needs of unemployed youth in Uganda,”
Rachel S.V. G, ( 1998) ``Assessment of adolescent reproductive health problems and services provided in Kampala
suburbs``
WHO, World Health Report 2003 – Shaping the Future 3
EMAIL:
cobap2001@Yahoo.com, ragumavs@yahoo.com
WEB:
www.cobap-uganda.org