Hoops and Baskets

The primary goal of this project is to empower young women in Africa by investing in, and exploring their potential, providing them with necessary resources and support to excel in education and basketball. The aim is to help these women seek the opportunities in sport and become leaders in their communities.

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Introduction

Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People (“Shades of Us”) has launched an initiative called the “Hoops and Baskets” project, aimed at creating sustainable opportunities for young women who are basketball athletes in Africa. The project aims to foster their health, education, rights and wellness needs, while helping them discover and develop their talents in basketball to promote the interconnection between sports, education, and wellness.

The “Hoops and Baskets” project goes beyond just offering athletic development opportunities. It also integrates health, education, and rights into its programming to create a safe and supportive environment for young women to engage in physical activity.

The “Hoops and Baskets” project is a demonstration of Shades of Us’ commitment to empowering young women in Africa. By providing these opportunities for growth and development, the organization is contributing to the development of the next generation of female leaders on the continent. It is a step towards building a brighter future for Africa.

Goals

To provide young women in Africa with access to high-quality basketball training and coaching.
To empower young women in Africa to discover and maximize their potential in basketball, with a focus on building leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
To promote overall health and wellness among young women in Africa by incorporating health, education, and rights into the program.
To create a safe and supportive environment for young women to engage in physical activity, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
To promote gender equality and challenge gender stereotypes by promoting basketball as a sport for young women.
To encourage young women in Africa to become leaders and role models in their communities, using basketball as a platform for positive social change.
To collaborate with local organizations, schools, and governments to create sustainable and impactful basketball programs for young women in Africa.

Behavioral Objectives

Foster a sense of community and belonging among young women participating in the program, promoting social connections and support networks.
Promote overall health and wellbeing among young women in the program, encouraging healthy habits and lifestyles.
Empower young women in the program to take control of their futures and become leaders in their communities.
Promote gender equality and female empowerment in Africa, promoting equal opportunities and access to sports resources for young women.
Inspire young women in Africa to become advocates for girl child empowerment and sports in their communities, promoting these causes and sharing their experiences with others.

Gap Analysis

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the transformative power of sports in promoting girl child empowerment in Africa. Studies have shown that engaging in sports can enhance girls’ physical and mental health, build their confidence, and provide them with leadership skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.

According to the study conducted by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) in Nigeria, girls who participated in sports had an average GPA of 3.06, compared to 2.63 for girls who did not participate in sports.

The same study by WARDC found that 94.3% of girls who participated in sports reported having high self-esteem, compared to 68.6% of girls who did not participate in sports.

The Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) reported that sports programs in Nigeria had helped to reduce early marriage rates among girls from 57% to 20%, and teenage pregnancy rates from 23% to 9%.

These figures highlight the positive impact that sports can have on girls’ academic performance, self-esteem, and social outcomes, as well as their potential to reduce harmful practices like early marriage and teenage pregnancy.

Sports is an amazing tool in empowering girls in Africa, promoting their rights, and enabling them to reach their full potential.

Audience

Young women in Africa who are interested in basketball and looking for opportunities to develop their skills and pursue a career in the sport.

Parents and guardians of young women in Africa who are interested in basketball or sports in general.

Community leaders, such as local government officials, religious leaders, and school principals.

Basketball coaches and trainers who may be interested in getting involved as trainers or mentors for young women participating in the program.

Donors who may be interested in providing financial or in-kind support to help the program reach more young women in the continent.

Governmental, non-governmental, non-profit, and for-profit organizations that work on issues related to sports and development in African countries or countries with people of African descent.

Reach

Shades of Us aims to reach and empower at least five hundred (500) young women in Africa with basketball opportunities between 2023 and 2030.

Young women in Africa with basketball opportunities between 2023 and 2030.

Partnerships

Shades of Us seeks to work closely with national and international basketball associations, schools and universities, health organizations, women’s rights organizations, corporations and foundations,
professional basketball teams and players, and athleisure companies to reach these girls.

By partnering with these organizations, Shades of Us Africa could create a comprehensive network of resources and support to help young women in Africa achieve their full potential in basketball and beyond.

Please send an email to info@shadesofusafrica.org if you are (or know) any individual, group, organization or agency willing to partner with Shades of Us to achieve this goal

Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People

Shades of Us Storytelling Initiative for African People

Hoops and Baskets

Introduction

Goals

Behavioral Objectives

Gap Analysis

Audience

Reach

Partnerships

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