Thousands of boys and girls roaming the streets due to lack of shelter could be harbouring sporty talent awaiting harvest. Their arms and legs may be yearning for trials in various sports.
At the Moi Forces Girls’ Academy in Mombasa is a case of sporting flair that could have remained hidden had it not been identified and tried out. Elizabeth Chantelle, 16, in Form Two is on her school volleyball team.
“I’m a left attacker,” she says on the pitch as she stands where she spikes the ball from. She demonstrates where each of the six players position themselves and what their respective roles are.
Every day after classes, she looks forward to game time. She exercises with her teammates before stepping onto the volleyball pitch to receive and spike the ball. Her height is advantageous to her as a spiker.
Chantelle’s love for volleyball wasn’t open to many. “I was living on the streets. I would beg for money to take to my parents to buy food,” she says.
While she was on the street, her rescuers arrived. “They asked me if I wanted to return to school. I said, “Yes. I want
Mombasa receives the ball during a practice session at game time (Cheptumo/KNA)
to go back to school.”
She was taken to Glad’s House in Mombasa. This is not just a rescue centre. It doubles up as a school.
Facilities such as this Centre are alert for gifted ones like Chantelle where her volleyball-playing ability emerged. Trainers seized the opportunity to coach her. It was easy for Chantelle to make it to the Glad’s House School volleyball team.
The Street Families Rehabilitation Trust Fund (SFRTF) spearheads the rescue of scores of street girls and boys akin to Chantelle’s ability to play attractively.
The trust fund CEO, Ms. Caroline Towett, says, “We usually encourage the rescue centres to spot and tap the talent of these young people so as to develop themselves.”
“I loved volleyball,” says Chantelle. “I trained very hard. When I was in class eight, I represented my school in sports. I played at the regionals and nationals.”
Even though she and her Coastal Queens Volleyball team of five other girls from Glad’s House were eliminated by a team from Western Kenya, she kept practicing.
She’s not the only one from the streets whose sporting prowess has been noticed. A social worker at Glad’s House, Fred Achola, says, “We have reached out to thousands of children using sports. We use volleyball only for girls,” he adds.
Achola says various teams from Glad’s House have participated in competitions in Rio de Janeiro, Moscow and Doha.
Due to Chantelle’s sporting ability, Moi Forces Girls’ Academy created room for her after she completed her primary school education. Being absorbed into the school team here presented no hurdles again. A few entities with sporting wings are already eyeing her signature.
“I would like to play for the national team, Malkia Strikers,” she says. “The Kenya Navy team also wants me to join them. If I get that chance, I’ll use it well,” Chantelle says.
By Wangari Ndirangu and William Inganga
