Holidays offer students ample time to relax, be with family, travel and have fun, but on the other hand, expose their young lives to different activities that could pose a threat to their well-being and future. Some of those activities include, negative peer pressure, or engaging in risky sexual behaviour, which usually results into pregnancy and other problems such HIV/AIDS.

It is because of these imminent threats that different parties are concerned about how school children, most especially teenage girls, are spending their holidays, particularly the activities they engage in, and what impact those activities have on their lives and future.

In doing so, different schools and organisations have taken the initiative to enlighten teenage girls on how to keep their lives safe through teenage pregnancy awareness programmes, which is mostly done through holiday fun activities, such as sports.

This holiday, Right To Play, a global organisation that uses the transformative power of play to educate and empower children facing adversity, has organised events for teenage girls as a channel through which to reveal the value of games and drama in educating teenagers the significance of engaging in healthy activities during the holidays. One such event held in Kimisagara sector, Nyarugenge District, was a girls’ football match that attracted over 300 school children from neighbouring communities. As they watched the game, majority children were amazed how young girls have embraced football - a game traditionally thought to be for boys.

At the end of the game, children gathered around for an interactive chat with different elders, and officials who had graced the event. They reminded children that playing promotes healthy bodies and minds. But most importantly, the children were told about the dangers of teenage pregnancy and how to stay away from it.

According Kagiraneza Sebijumba, the education officer in Kimisagara sector, young girls tend to face different social challenges, especially during the holidays, thus educating them about teen pregnancy is a good way to assist them protect themselves.

"Engaging young girls in relaxation activities such as sports is one way to remind them to spend their free time in things that build their lives, and shape their future. This helps them shun activities that might compromise their future such as drug abuse and negative peer pressure, among others,” Sebijumba said.

He reminded girls to avoid people who tempt them to engage in immoral behaviours, as well as activities that compromise their dignity, culture and future goals.

"As young people with good dreams, I encourage you to be the ambassadors of change in your communities. Say no to teen pregnancy and advocate for your fellow children in case of any abuse,” he said.

Sebijumba told children that playing healthy games brings unity, happiness and positive energy. Sports, he said, offers young people an opportunity to share good ideas, stay motivated and help each other to address their daily challenges, and thus, should be prioritised.

To Gasperd Mujyambere, Right To Play coordinator in Nyarugenge and Ruhango districts, when you educate a girl, you educate the whole family and the community in general.

"Teenage pregnancy is a barrier to education, and thus educating young girls about its dangers is one way to lay a firm foundation to their education,” Mujyambere noted.

He added, "We organised the girls’ football tournament with an aim of sensitising community members, mainly parents and children, about prevention of teenage pregnancy in order to reduce girls’ barriers to attaining education, and keeping them safe during the holidays,” he said.

Schools which participated in last week’s event included; GS Kimisagara, EP Kamuhoza, EP Intwali, GS Cyivugiza, GS Akumunigo, EP Rugarama, GS Nyarufunzo, EP Nyarubande, GS Karama and GS Mwendo. While in Ruhango, they were GS Muhoro, EP Tambwe, EP Gako, EP Rutabo A, GS Rutabo B, GS Rwingwe, GS Giseke and GS Mutara.

To Marie Chantal Gahongayire, a teacher and mentor in charge of leadership and child protection club at Ecole Primaire Intwali in Nyarugenge district, when children are aware and enlightened on how to handle the challenges around them, their future and success becomes certain, and sports is one of the best ways through which to achieve this.

"We teach children, most especially girls, how to handle themselves, and behave during the holidays as a way of reminding them of the many temptations waiting to steal their future, and destruct their most valuable possessions which are self-worth and education,” Gahongayire said.

She said encouraging young people to participate in productive and healthy activities during holidays is a reminder to them that their time is important, and thus should be used to do what is right and fruitful.

"It is through such events that we challenge girls to share their daily encounters with their parents so that parents mentor and take part in their growth, and also help them to pass through adolescence in a healthy way,” Gahongayire said.

Parents welcome initiative

Parents who attended the event were delighted as they watched their children engage in the positive activity. They testified that educative games help their children to experience growth, and keeps them busy during the holidays.

"I believe the lessons that children acquire from such educative playoffs helps them learn several life lessons and become competent by attaining a set of skills, attitudes,knowledge, and values rich in those games and programmes,” explained Davide Mwenedata, a father of three primary school children.

Mwenedata encouraged parents to consider teaching their teenage children about reproductive health, and to be a part of their daily growth as one way of helping to prevent cases of teenage pregnancy, among other related negative effects.

Girls eager to learn more

Girls who shared their views with Education Times said the experience enlightened them about the value of self-worth, moderation and accountability. In addition, to playing football, they said, it increased their interest in sports, and introduced them to different moral lessons such as, team work, togetherness and friendship

"It was an interesting leisure event filled with good ideas and enriching interactions. From different people who shared with us their experiences, I learned that is through sports that we can keep ourselves busy and productive during the holidays. I also learned the importance of sharing our experiences with our parents, and most importantly, why we must stay away from immoral activities,” said Justine Mulisa, a 14-year-old student from Ecole Primaire Ntwari.

Experts say a parent’s role in addressing the problem of teenage pregnancy is paramount, and it’s only possible in the presence of effective communication which parents must establish at home, so that girls can share their worries and experiences freely to get help.

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CHILDREN SHARE EXPERIENCES

Gabriel Ucyeye, 12 It was a fruitful event. From playing football I learnt a new skill and gained more insight about the benefits of engaging in sports activities. It was an opportunity to interact with children from other schools. I learnt about the dangers of teenage pregnancy and how to stay safe during the holidays.

Shimo Gashema, 11The event helped me to know about the consequences of teenage pregnancy such as dropping out of school, which is something as students we should avoid in all ways. I realised the value of self-worth and how it builds and promotes the spirit of responsibility, discipline and confidence in an individual.

Yvette Ahimana, 15 I enjoyed the educative part of the girl’s football tournament. We were told that the first cause of teenage pregnancy and other immoral activities is the influence of negative peer pressure, which we shouldn’t give room in our lives. I pledged to only keep disciplined and responsible friends.

Farijah Umutoni, 12 I was acquainted with the significance of team work after realising that in sports victory is impossible when players don’t work together. In addition, we were reminded that it’s central to learn how to communicate well with our parents, and share everything that is on our mind with them.