Building Stronger Connections Through Futbol: How The Ayin Project is Enhancing WASH Education in Uganda

St. Charles Primary receiving The Ayin Project's WASH Tournament Trophy

For a more successful Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project, success lies not only in the implementation of clean water systems or the distribution of hygiene materials, but also in the strong relationships built between project stakeholders, schools, staff, and the surrounding communities. Most recently, The Ayin Project’s (TAP) Uganda Team fostered these powerful connections by organizing a WASH futbol (soccer) tournament that involved all the schools participating in the project.

During the Ayin Project's WASH initiative, at schools within a 2-mile radius of the Ndejje Town Council community, the TAP team made an intentional decision to engage more personally and interactively with the school headteachers, directors, staff, and students. The initiative began as a simple idea: staff would join students in their futbol games. What started as a fun and engaging activity quickly evolved into an invaluable tool for communication, trust-building, and reinforcing the importance of clean water and hygiene practices.

In the end, the first TAP WASH futbol tournament was organized, with schools competing against each other from the group stages, to the quarter-finals, and then on to the finals. The winning tournament team received a trophy as a token of appreciation. More importantly, each school representative was allowed to share their experience of the project, resulting in a strong bond among the participating schools.

Participating Schools

Team Winterland's Coach is warming up the team in preparation for their first game.

The WASH project was implemented in the following six schools: St. Charles Lwanga Primary School, Lady Irene Demonstration Primary School, St. Joseph's Namayamba, Winterland Primary School, Precious Primary School, and Flority Primary School. By the end of the tournament, the unexpected St. Charles Lwanga team emerged as the winner, defeating Winterland Primary School by a single goal. Unfortunately, two schools, Namayamba and Lady Irene, were unable to participate in the futbol tournament due to unavoidable circumstances.

Why Futbol?

Futbol, beloved by people worldwide and by Ugandans, has a unique ability to break down barriers among peoples. Whether in a rural village or an urban center, both children and adults can bond over their shared passion for the game. For The Ayin Project's (TAP) Ugandan field team, participating in futbol matches with students offered a break from formal discussions about water and hygiene, and provided an opportunity to connect with the students in a relaxed and inclusive way. View the Instagram video post here💧

Beyond the enjoyment of the game itself, futbol served as a platform for the TAP team to encourage open discussions on important WASH topics in a more interactive manner. After the final whistle, team captains and school leaders were given a chance to share their experiences and the gains their schools had made through The Ayin Project’s WASH initiative.

Through informal conversations during the matches, the staff seamlessly incorporated messages about handwashing, the importance of drinking clean, safe water (ceramic purified water), and maintaining proper sanitation practices. By engaging with students in such a comfortable and enjoyable setting, TAP's team fostered an environment where students felt more open to WASH-related education.

The Impact of Playing Together

A St. Charles Primary player skillfully kicks the ball.

• Relationship building: The impact of playing futbol together extends far beyond the physical benefits of exercise and fun. For many students, this was their first direct interaction with our TAP team outside the structured environment of school lessons. 

• Bridging divides: It helped bridge the gap between students in all the schools, their staff, and TAP representatives, making everyone feel more approachable and easing communication. This reinforced the idea that TAP representatives were not just outsiders imposing new rules, but individuals who genuinely cared about the students' well-being and development.

• Modeling teamwork: The games also offered an opportunity for The Ayin Project team to model teamwork, leadership, and communication skills, crucial elements for the success of community-based projects like WASH. 

• Fostering collaboration: Working together toward a common goal in futbol mirrored the kind of collaboration needed to implement sanitation and hygiene practices effectively in schools and communities. The participatory nature of the games allowed everyone to discuss the importance of collective responsibility.

• Gaining insight: By engaging in these activities, we also had the chance to observe the students' behavior in an unstructured setting. This provided valuable insights into their social dynamics, concerns, and attitudes, helping us tailor future interventions more effectively.

  
  

A Stronger Foundation for WASH Education

St. Charles Primary School's coach encourages a group of student players and spectators after the tournament.

The connection formed through these futbol games has had a significant and positive impact on The Ayin Project team’s work in schools. It established a foundation of trust and friendship, making it easier to communicate WASH messages and encourage behavioural changes related to water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Students who were initially hesitant or disengaged from WASH-related activities became more active participants once they felt a personal connection with the TAP team. Furthermore, the games allowed us to see the schools from the students' perspective, which has been invaluable in informing the design of our programs and strategies.

They also provided insights into the students' needs, challenges, and motivations, enabling us to ensure that future WASH initiatives are both effective and well-received by the community.

In essence, futbol is more than just a game for TAP and the students in the schools where we are conducting our WASH project. It serves as a tool for fostering stronger community ties, building trust, and reinforcing important lessons on water, sanitation, and hygiene, which are critical to improving the health and well-being of these children.

By stepping onto the field with the students, we have not only played a game but also built relationships that will help ensure the long-term success of The Ayin Project’s WASH initiatives.

TAP Team Celebrating the Tournament (not pictured Kiwanda and Rhodah)

Additionally, this initiative highlights the importance of personal engagement in development work, underscoring how even the simplest activities can have a profound effect on the success of vital health and hygiene education. 

Through futbol, The Ayin Project is not only improving water and sanitation conditions in the schools but also making a lasting positive impact on the students' lives, shaping the future of WASH education within the community, and in Uganda.

Thank you,

Sulman Muhanguzi

Laboratory Manager/Project Coordinator 

The Ayin Project