Boys will be Boys

SEEDS members working in partnership with Indonesian charity Yayasan Pendar Pagi (YPP) recently started a new initiative at a community centre in Jakarta: a weekly Boys’ Club for boys aged 12-15.

Young people in this area do not have many opportunities to participate in constructive, meaningful activities outside of school hours and boys particularly can easily be drawn into street gangs (which in recent months has resulted in some deaths), gambling, or the local drugs scene. Many boys lack positive and active strong male role models (be that due to the death or absenteeism of their fathers).

The vision and desired outcome of the Boys’ Club is to see these young boys excel in the talents and abilities that we are confident already exist within them; to see them wanting to achieve (and believing that they can); to see them be young citizens of good character, who can grow into young leaders and pioneers.

The Boys Club sessions include lots of sports; training in practical skills, and character building through encouraging values of honesty, perseverance, and team work. Currently run by YPP’s two male interns based at the community centre, and hopefully joined soon by local volunteers, we see great potential for this club. We also hope to see these boys make a lasting positive impact on their communities, starting now.

SEEDS members working in Bangkok, Thailand, run futsal training clubs and create opportunities for nearby teams to compete in a safe and positive environment. Sports such as futsal encourage young people toward positive and exciting activities that build their confidence through skill development and participation on a team. Youth learn the fundamental skills for the sport, practice playing together, receive personal and group coaching, and are encouraged to be their best in all areas of life.

Recently SEEDS members organized an annual Futsal tournament. Although there are many Futsal events for older youth, kids under 12 and under 15 are often not included in the tournaments, and if so, the competitions may be far away with expensive registration fees. SEEDS specifically created a low-cost competition close to home with food and activities that are consistent with the cultural practices and values of the neighborhood teams. Parents and community leaders attended the event to cheer their own neighborhood’s team.

At this year’s tournament, eight communities from one section of Bangkok sent teams to participate. It provided an opportunity for small neighborhood teams to experience the excitement of competition with nearby teams, and for coaches and parents to meet one another, and to work together to strengthen their local programs. The top four teams received Futsal equipment which can be used to strengthen their local programs.