Building Life Skills Through Table Tennis: A Transformative Journey in Kenya

In the vibrant settlement of Mukuru kwa Njenga in Nairobi, Kenya, the transformative Dream Building Fund (DBF) powered by GSD project known as Hope kwa Vijana Mtaani and implemented by Vision Changers Kenya (VCK) is making significant strides towards addressing juvenile crime and fostering community development. The programme, which translates to "Hope to youths in the slums" directly responds to the social and economic challenges faced by young people in an underserved area, where poverty is a driving force behind criminal behaviour.

For over the past 2.5 years, the Hope kwa Vijana Mtaani project has leveraged the power of table tennis and other sports to impart critical life skills, including teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. This innovative approach seeks to rehabilitate juvenile offenders and provide youth with an alternative path away from crime by engaging them in constructive activities that divert their focus from crime and foster personal growth, alleviate stress, and expand employment opportunities.

However, challenges remain, such as limited resources to scale up the programme, reach and impact more participants, and ensure consistent engagement after the DBF support cycle has ended.

Mentorship in Action: Move and Play

At the heart of this DBF 2021 project is the programme titled "Move and Play" designed to combine enjoyable sports training with impactful mentorship. Through this mentorship programme, some mentees transitioned into mentors by planning and successfully conducting a training to out-of-school kids: Over the course of two days, participants used table tennis to engage in discussions about resilience, leadership, and personal development. This platform facilitated learning and self-discovery, allowing participants to realise that every move they make can have a lasting impact on their lives and the lives of those around them. Participants were recruited from VCK’s community networks and mentorship groups. The goal was to encourage young people to take active roles in their community fostering a ripple effect of positive impact.

The programme includes various elements:

• Mentorship Sessions: Focused on building soft skills like teamwork, decision-making, and confidence.
• Sports for Development Training: Participants receive coaching in table tennis and other sports, emphasising strategy, discipline, perseverance, and other life skills.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Experienced participants of the Hope kwa Vijana Mtaani project serve as peer mentors, guiding new participants and creating a cycle of learning and transformation.

Since its inception, the programme has achieved significant milestones, such as improving participants' critical thinking, adaptability, and communication skills; enabling mentors to inspire new mentees and ensuring the programme's continuity; and fostering a sense of accountability and community engagement among young people.

Transforming Lives in Mukuru kwa Njenga

The personal stories of those impacted by the programme are truly inspiring. Mercy Mwongeli explains how she was once shy and unsure of herself, lacking the confidence to join community activities. Since joining the programme, Mercy has used table tennis to foster her personal growth and now mentors new players helping them discover the same skills that transformed her life.

George Kamau expresses how playing table tennis has instilled discipline in him and opened his eyes to new ideas. Now, as a mentor, he finds satisfaction in seeing the joy and progress of younger players, showing that the initiative goes beyond sports—it’s about building a better community.

Nicole Adhiambo shares how the programme helped her find direction. “Before joining, I had no clear vision,” she reflects. Her journey began with mastering table tennis, but over time, her self-confidence increased, she took on more responsibilities, including becoming the treasurer of a table banking initiative. Nicole also used the funds she earned from this initiative to start her own small milk-selling business, proving how sports can be a gateway to economic empowerment and self-reliance.

Mary Simon also recalls struggling with low self-esteem before becoming involved in the programme. The confidence she gained from playing table tennis helped her overcome her shyness and take on new challenges, such as serving as an office assistant at Consortium of Women Empowerment (COWE). “I now make positive decisions, stay focused on my goals, and interact confidently with others,” says Mary, whose transformation illustrates the programme’s broader impact.

Sustaining the Ripple Effect

The ITTF Foundation is proud to see how VCK’s hard work is paying off and how the people and community are thriving on this great model of peer-to-peer mentorship—it represents a journey of resilience, learning, and community building through table tennis. This ensures the wisdom and skills gained are continually shared, extending the programme’s impact to other community members and hopefully future generations. Participants like Mercy, George, Nicole, and Mary are becoming leaders in their own right, using their experiences to uplift others. Mercy encapsulates the programme’s impact beautifully when she states, “I hope this project will continue because it has greatly impacted my life and my community at large.” With continued support, the initiative aims to keep transforming lives, one game at a time.

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