Over 375 school-going children aged between 5-18 years are attending a multi-sports holiday camp currently taking place at Amahoro National Stadium.

Organized by Health Training Centre in partnership with Ministry of Sports and Culture, the sports camp is aimed at enhancing the children’s sense of self-belief and social development.

According to Nelson Mukasa, the camp coordinator, the essence of the camp is to motivate the children to engage in sports during holidays in order to avoid engaging in undesirable activities that could lead to early and unwanted pregnancies, especially for the girls. "We are teaching them sports related skills, life core values and social skills so that they can manage their lives responsibly. The event involves diverse sports activities. Holiday makers from various schools around the City of Kigali are taking part in several sports activities including: Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Swimming, Tennis, Karate, Kung Fu, Taekwondo and Aerobics.

Mukasa further stated that during school holiday’s, most parents are always busy, spending long hours at their workplaces hence leaving little or no time at all for their children.

Chris Jusa, 14, a primary four pupil from College de l'Espoir de Gasogi, is one of the children attending the camp and he told this paper that, "I joined the camp to learn how to play football as well as swimming since there is no swimming pool in my home area in Kanombe.”

The camp runs from Monday to Friday, from 9am- 12pm. Most children bring their own drinks and packed lunch.

Donald Masibi, who trains the children in basketball and swimming, says they work with different sports federations so that they can keep the children busy all day. Organizers say the initiative will continue every holiday and during weekends.

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