MT Soccer Foundation-Kono

people using football, which is the most followed and most popular sports in the country. The programmes of the Foundation target children between the ages of eight and eighteen years who spend most of their time working in the diamond mining fields of Kono after they have lost their parents; some of them have lost both parents whilst others are living with single parents with all the attendant challenges. These children are working in the mining fields to support themselves and their aged family members and they are, therefore, unlikely to have the opportunity to attend school. One of the main objectives of the Foundation’s programmes is to encourage these children out of the mining fields where they are facing a bleak future. Whilst they are engaged in mining, they are susceptible to anti-social behaviour such as crime and drugs. The strategy is to use the power of football to get them out of this “danger zone” and encourage them to get back to the classroom. The Foundation designs a programme that enables these children to combine their educational pursuit and developing their skills in football. The Foundation provides the children with the opportunity and environment to learn academic fundamentals such as English, reading writing and numeracy. In addition, they also learn technological skills such as basic computing, designing to increase their employability or avail them the opportunity to enrol in a vocational or tertiary institution. The Curriculum taught in the centre is approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Classes are held in the centre to provide a safe and conducive environment for both learners and instructors. Another objective of the Foundation and its programmes is to create an awareness and acceptance of the power of football in the development of the child or in helping children to discover their God-given talents, among the host communities. Children, young people and the community in which the Foundation operates are awakening to the new realisation that football is a game that promotes sustainable development and social harmony. Now many of the people realise that football is not just a game for fun and entertainment, but also a tool for social development. MT Soccer Foundation is affiliated with the Kono District Football Association (KDFA).