Hi5Diski gives Jumpas youth hope
“We want to create and maintain a safe and alternative environment where youth and adults can interact and grow to their fullest potential."
With the help of Hi5Diski, the youth of Jumpas Informal Settlement in Cleveland have been given a chance for a better environment to shape their dreams and to be hopeful of brighter future.
Hi5Diski is a non profit organisation established by Mr John Sherriffs and Ms Alison Roberts.
They have built a soccer pitch utilising old car tyres, which were donated by Supa Quick in Bruma.
“We want to create and maintain a safe and alternative environment where youth and adults can interact and grow to their fullest potential in both work and play, by providing mentoring, guidance and training” said Ms Roberts.
The objective of Hi5Diski is to promote soccer and a healthy, active lifestyle, create a league which will give recognition to players and produce well-balanced young adults through soccer, learning and educational interventions.
It is also aimed at keeping the youth off the streets and away from negative influences such as crime and drugs, and promoting family participation through soccer, collaboratively with both government agencies and non-profit organisations in order to grow and develop the youth.
“The programme is for the development of the youth. But, it is not just about the soccer but also about the coaches and mentors who will be teaching and guiding the youth.
“We hope to build both the spirit of the game and development of the youth, into successful, balanced young adults,” said Ms Roberts.
Hi5Diski has taken the holistic approach of balancing soccer skills with development, educational assistance and mentoring.
The programme aims to encourage members to participate in educational programmes.
“We aim to instil a sense of responsibility, ownership and discipline while ensuring that their education and personal development needs are met,” said Ms Roberts.
She said the location of the soccer pitch was identified in Jumpas after they looked at the environment and realised the programme would best benefit the disadvantaged and youth of Jumpas who have nothing to do on weekends and after school.
“This programme will give them something to do for fun. The building of the soccer pitch started at the end of January and we are nearing completion. It may not be perfect but the children are already playing and are putting together wish-lists for balls, bibs, training cones and their own soccer kit and boots,” said Ms Alison.
