Five Malawian girls will travel to the United States to take part in sports leadership training.
The trip has been organised by the US Embassy in partnership with Ascent Soccer Academy and One Community under the Sports Visitor Program managed by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
US Embassy public affairs officer Douglas Johnston said the five will participate in a two-week sports and leadership camp from June 29th – July 13th, 2019.
The girls are Melicy Lickson (15), Memory Kulemeka (15), Ireen Khumalo (15), all from from Ascent Soccer Academy and Brenda Nkhoma (18) and Martha Nkhoma (18) from the Usaid-sponsored Dreams project for girls.
Johnson said the Sports Visitor Programme uses sports to engage hard-to-reach key youth and youth influencer audiences and to support priority U.S. foreign policy goals while promoting American values both on and off the field.
He said the programmes also provide participants with leadership and conflict resolution skills and a deeper understanding of the U.S.
This year activities include sessions on communication, public speaking and team-building as well as attending various cultural and sporting events.
“It is our aim that, when the girls return, they will be endowed with the necessary confidence to motivate and inspire other Malawian girls and women, to be empowered to stay in school, and use positive judgement in health-related decisions,” said Johnson.
