My name is Everlyn Ajing, I am a Kenyan aged 22 years and a Volunteer at Mathare Youth Sports Association (M.Y.S.A.) Kenya. The organization uses sports as a tool for community development and has since co-operated many programs.
I grew up in a community where there was no safe place to live, no safe youth to interact with and no one to show you good or bad, but all was not lost. MYSA come in with parental guidance and like a father who wanted his children to grow up knowing all the challenges of life and how they can overcome them. He guided them and showed them the right choices, he went ahead and partner with other parents and together they involved their kids in kicking Aids out activities, community and school outreaches, initiating discussions about sensitive issues that arise when talking about sexuality, crime, drugs and substance abuse and so it is up to their kids to decide which path they want to take.
My journey through HIV and AIDS program started way back in 2002 when I was trained as a peer leader immediately after participating in Norway Cup tournament in Oslo. Being seen as a role model in my community, I used the knowledge of a peer leader to educate my fellow peer on basic knowledge on HIV & AIDS, and actively involving them in kicking AIDS Out activities. After successfully implemented all the requirements of a peer leader, I was then qualified to be trained as a leader level 1 in 2006.
Being an active leader, I was chosen to go through many workshops on HIV & AIDS awareness and exchange programs which helped me a lot in terms of building my confidence.
In 2008 I was trained as leader level 2, which involve development approaches and skills for group facilitation and have since used this knowledge to facilitate three successful leader level 1 workshops within my organization. I also monitor leader level 1s and continue implementing kicking AIDS Out activities.
I know have a much bigger responsibility of implementing kicking AIDS out activities. I have conducted several workshops of peer leaders, identified peer leaders for training, demonstrated continuation of coaching under 12 and 14 girls, played in tournaments and MYSA league matches, developed and implemented longer terms plans for kicking AIDS out activities.
Currently I play for Mathare United Women Football Club in MYSA, coaches under 12 girls and an active member of HIV and AIDS awareness program.
Father left us with this poem, TAKE CARE, TODAY THE FOOD IS TOO HOT, and being one of fathers most beloved daughters I have decided to TAKE CARE.