COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
YEDI encourages adolescents to serve as agents of change in their communities and facilitate activities in the communities they live in.
Annual community outreach efforts include World Malaria Day (April 25), World AIDS Day (December 1) and the SKILLZ Holiday Camps (August and December).
World Malaria Day
In commemoration of the annual World Malaria Day, YEDI (and sometimes in partnership with various private sector organisations who are committed to seeing an end to the fight against malaria) organises a community tournament commonly tagged “Kick Against Malaria Football Tournament.” The tourney is targeted at combating the scourge of Malaria using the power of football as a tool. The tournament usually takes place alongside other activities including free Malaria testing and treatment, free distribution of long-lasting insecticidal treated nets (LLINs), family health forum, health talk on Malaria, music and refreshment, among other activities.
The tournament is a Grassroot Soccer initiative where the power of soccer is used as an effective teaching platform for mobilizing and empowering young Nigerians with relevant information about HIV/AIDS and Malaria prevention and treatment, as well as basic life-saving skills.
SKILLZ Holiday Camp
This is a 5-day intervention organized during the long holiday, providing a safe space for young people to learn healthy habits and be educated about the prevention of HIV/AIDS and Malaria. It provides them with an opportunity to acquire soft skills, craft training and life management skills for economic empowerment using football and other physical activities, as well as access to HIV Testing Services.
World AIDS Day
YEDI organizes events around World AIDS Day including parades involving youths and their communities to promote HIV testing and prevention techniques and to reduce stigmatization. Among other activities, the World AIDS Day events provide an opportunity for free HIV Counselling and Testing to participants and community members while also using innovative approaches to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS and reduce stigma and discrimination. It also serves as a teaching opportunity for our peer educators to educate members of the community about HIV/AIDS, and advocate against stigmatization and discrimination pertaining to HIV/AIDS.