Today, at around 11:30am, I touched down in Jharkhand, and to my surprise, there was no Wi-Fi available at the airport. Nevertheless, I was immensely appreciative that Yuwa had arranged for someone to pick me up at the airport. The airport itself is quite small, and as soon as I stepped out, I spotted a prominent sign bearing my name, “LIZ.”
I was promptly whisked away to Yuwa School, our journey taking approximately an hour and a half. Yuwa is a prominent organization based in Ranchi, Jharkhand, with a compelling mission to empower girls through sports. I had already heard a great deal about Yuwa’s significant work, and I was eagerly anticipating the chance to visit and experience their initiatives in person.
Upon my arrival at the school, I had the chance to meet the girls who were in their classrooms. They greeted me with enthusiasm, asking questions about my home country and showing a keen interest in my hair. The girls were warm and welcoming, and their proficiency in English was truly impressive. Having visited various schools in other states where English proficiency can be a challenge, I was amazed at how well these girls spoke the language.
At Yuwa, every girl in the school actively participates in football, and they are selected based on both their football skills and their specific needs. The Yuwa football program involves nearly 700 children from different villages who practice in fields near their homes. Each team is led by a coach, with a total of 26 teams, who receive a modest payment for their coaching services. What’s remarkable is that the girls who are still in school, from grade 8 onwards, are allowed to coach, enabling them to earn money to help pay some of their school fees. There is no age limit for coaches, and girls who have graduated from Yuwa School can continue to coach, earning them a living after school. The girls practice for one hour daily from 5 pm to 6 pm, with each team comprising 10 to 20 girls. To promote discipline and accountability, the girls save 5-10 rupees per week, within their teams, which they use to purchase footballs, socks, and boots. While coaching is provided for free, the girls are responsible for obtaining their own equipment.
It’s important to note that not all of the girls in the Yuwa Program receive their academic education at Yuwa school, only around 100 of them do. On the first day of my visit, I visited their classes on the first day and observed their learning while interacting with them. On the second day, I woke up at 4:45 am to attend the coaches’ morning practice, which takes place every Saturday. I witnessed how the coaches were trained in various skills that they would later pass on to their respective teams. After the practice, the students enjoyed a movie, a regular Saturday activity aimed at improving their English skills.
Following the movie session, we participated in a facilitators’ workshop, where the girls underwent life skills programs that they would later teach to their teams in the coming week. This program focuses on four pillars; rights, health/menstrual health, future planning, and decision making. Five life skills coordinators among the girls would visit different fields to coordinate these programs. The life skills coordinator, Sruthi, is responsible for content development
During the session, the girls shared their experiences with me regarding the life skills program. I then shared my personal story with the girls, and they deeply connected with it. I spoke about the challenges I faced growing up in a village and the significant influence my mother had on my life. I also discussed the difficulties I encountered as a woman, leading to a heartfelt and vulnerable conversation. They asked many questions and shared their own experiences, making it a truly emotional and meaningful session.
Afterward, the girls returned to their homes, and I had lunch with Ms Sruthi, and the school head, Mrs. Niha, engaging in more enriching conversations.
On the final day, our activities began at 8 am with a facilitators’ football training session. During this training, they learned everything they needed to teach their respective teams throughout the week. Attendance at this meeting was mandatory, and any facilitator who missed it would have a substitute coach their team for the week.
When I inquired of Sruthi what she found most rewarding about her role at Yuwa, her response was heartfelt: “Witnessing the tangible impact you can make in a child’s life, especially in the life of a girl, is everything to me. While numerous organizations are engaged in child development, my arrival at Yuwa felt like coming home. The transformative impact Yuwa is generating is unlike anything I’ve ever encountered, and the privilege of being part of this movement is truly remarkable.”
Sruthi’s response was truly remarkable and resonated deeply with my own sentiments. The impact that Yuwa is making, particularly in shaping the lives of these girls, improving their self-confidence, and nurturing them into future leaders, is incredibly fulfilling and inspiring. Yuwa’s model stands out as exemplary, and it was the first organization of its kind that I had the privilege to visit. Their approach to empowering girls is a model that deserves to be replicated. In my community, football is traditionally associated with boys, but I am now inspired to promote the participation of girls in football and to utilize sports as a means of empowerment.
As I bid farewell to the girls, it was a bittersweet moment. I took numerous photos to cherish the special time we had together. The bus dropped off each girl at her home, and I was also taken back to my hotel as I prepared to depart for my flight to Delhi, scheduled for 4:15 pm.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Rose and Franz Gastler of Yuwa for their graciousness in granting me the opportunity to visit their organization, as well as for their exceptional hospitality and efficient organization of my visit. My sincere gratitude also goes out to Ms. Sruthi, Niha, and Sheena, who skillfully oversaw every aspect of my visit, ensuring that it was a meaningful and impactful experience. This visit has truly been a source of inspiration, and I eagerly anticipate further opportunities for engagement and collaboration with Yuwa in the future.
PS: I gifted Yuwa School a stunning carving of two giraffes joined together, representing our organization’s strong desire to collaborate in the empowerment of girls in Kenya.
