Introduction: A field, a vision, a future
On a quiet Saturday morning in Marienga Village, a group of girls lace up their boots, not just to play football but to learn how to steer their own futures. A boda boda hums along the dusty roads of Suna East as it carries players to a field where the game is more than sport—it is a platform for life skills, mentorship, and health education. This initiative is part of a broader effort to tackle teen pregnancy by combining the discipline of football with practical lessons on negotiation, goal setting, financial literacy, and reproductive health.
Why football? More than a game
Football is a universal language that transcends age and background. In communities where girls face social and economic barriers, organizing regular practice creates safe spaces where girls can bond, learn teamwork, and build confidence. Coaches and volunteers emphasize discipline, punctuality, and teamwork—qualities that translate into better decision-making off the field. By engaging girls in a sport they love, educators hope to keep them in school longer and reduce the risk factors associated with early pregnancy.
Life skills training: turning practice into progress
Beyond the drills and scrimmages, sessions include targeted life skills modules. Topics typically cover:**
– Goal setting and planning for future careers
– Communication and consent, including healthy relationships
– Financial literacy: saving, budgeting, and enterprise ideas
– Reproductive health education: understanding puberty, contraception, and accessing health services
These modules are delivered in an age-appropriate, culturally sensitive manner by trained facilitators who work in the community. The goal is not only to prevent teen pregnancies but to empower girls to make informed choices about their bodies and their lives. When girls understand their rights and options, they are more likely to stay in school and pursue higher education or vocational training.
Community role: mothers, coaches, and mentors
The Marienga initiative thrives because it brings together a network of mothers, former athletes, and local teachers. Mothers often accompany their daughters to training, turning the field into a positive space that reinforces healthy norms. Local coaches, many of whom juggle multiple duties, receive ongoing training to address sensitive topics with care and respect. Mentors—older sisters, teachers, and community volunteers—provide role models whose journeys inspire girls to aim higher than early marriage or unplanned parenthood.
Health services and support systems
Partnerships with healthcare providers ensure that girls receive contraceptive information and services in a confidential, non-judgmental environment. Mobile clinics, school-based health days, and youth-friendly counseling sessions help reduce barriers to access. The program also supports pregnant and parenting teens with guidance on keeping their education on track, connecting families with social services, and planning for a stable future.
Measuring impact: stories of change
Early indicators show encouraging trends: increased school attendance among participants, higher self-confidence in negotiating boundaries, and a decline in early pregnancies. While data collection is ongoing, the stories from the field highlight a pattern of resilience. A former participant, now a community volunteer, explains that football taught her perseverance and planning—tools she now uses to advocate for education and health in her own village.
Challenges and opportunities
Social norms, scarce funding, and geographic barriers pose hurdles. Sustained success requires continued investment in coaching, safe transport, and accessible health services. Yet the model offers clear opportunities: scalable training for coaches, stronger linkages with schools, and more robust youth-led groups that can replicate the program in neighboring communities.
Conclusion: A field of possibilities
In Marienga Village, the football pitch is more than a place to chase a ball. It is an arena where girls learn to dream, plan, and protect themselves. By weaving football with practical life skills and health education, the community is taking concrete steps to tackle teen pregnancy. The Saturday matches and Sunday coaching sessions become routines of empowerment, turning potential into progress one kick at a time.
