July 20th, 2024
SATINO recently visited Sinon Secondary School to educate students about the role and impact of NGOs, led by our director Augustino, an alumnus of the school. During our engaging talk, students learned about various aspects of NGOs, and a request for footballs led to a prompt donation of 10 footballs and fifteen captain’s armbands. We emphasized the importance of women’s football to inspire girls to participate in sports, fostering a sense of community and empowerment.
During our visit, we were warmly welcomed by the head teacher, who also happened to be Augustino’s former teacher. He fondly recalled Augustino’s time at the school, describing him as a well-behaved student, which set the stage for a meaningful interaction with the current students.
We held an informative talk for one of the older classes, covering various aspects of NGOs. The students learned about what NGOs are, different types of NGOs, their goals, advantages and disadvantages, the procedure to start an NGO, and how SATINO operates as an NGO. The students were fantastic—engaging, curious, and eager to learn. Their enthusiasm made the session incredibly rewarding, and we even learned a few things from them.
During the discussion, one of the students mentioned the need for footballs. Inspired by this, SATINO returned two days later with 10 footballs and fifteen captain’s armbands. This time, we presented the items to a crowd of nearly 3000 students and faculty members. For many of our volunteers, it was their first experience speaking to such a large audience. Each of us shared a bit about ourselves, our experiences, and offered words of inspiration.
The head teacher, Augustino, and Sinon’s head of the student council also addressed the crowd. A significant part of our message focused on promoting women’s football. We emphasized the importance of sports for fun, health, and personal development, while challenging gender roles. Our goal was to inspire as many girls as possible to take up sports, stay away from negative influences, and break through societal barriers.
We conveyed that sports offer numerous benefits, such as fostering a sense of community, providing a healthy challenge, and proving that girls can excel in sports just as much as boys can. Encouraging even one girl to start playing sports would be a fantastic achievement, and we aimed to create an environment where girls feel accepted and motivated to participate in sports.
This event was not only a way to support Sinon Secondary School but also an excellent opportunity to promote SATINO and the impactful work we do. We are grateful for the warm reception and the chance to make a positive difference in the lives of these students.
Thank you to Sinon Secondary School for hosting us and to the students for their incredible engagement. We look forward to more such interactions and continuing our mission to provide quality education and community support.
Stay tuned for more updates on our initiatives and events as we continue to inspire and empower the youth.
