Placement in Namibia 2015

My name is Katie Barker and I attend John Moores University in Liverpool. I have been selected to take part in UK sport's IDEALS programme. I will be going to Namibia this summer to help young children affected by Aids and HIV. I need to raise money to help fund the cost of the placement. To help towards our fundraising I am going to complete a 52 mile bike ride from Liverpool to Blackpool in April. Any support no matter how small would be greatly appreciated. Below are more details about the aims of the placement. Around 20% of all adults in Namibia are living with HIV/Aids. A further 17,000 children aged 15 or under are infected and around 85,000 children have lost one or both of their parents to AIDS. Now, thanks to and international exchange programme, managed by UK Sport, 6 students from LJMU are hoping to use traditional African games to help educate young Namibians about how to prevent the spread of the virus. The placement has been organised as part of the IDEALS (International Development through Excellence and Leadership in Sport) Advanced exchange programme for young people aged 18-35. This programme offers UK students the chance to gain practical experience of sports development overseas while also developing their leadership and coaching skills. We will be acting as mentors and organising sports activities for young Namibians while working as volunteers with PAY(Physically Active Youth), SCORE (Sports Coach Outreach), Special Olympics Namibia, Frank Fredericks foundation and Galz & goals working with the Namibia FA. While in Namibia we will undertake field studied in north and west Namibia where prevalence of HIV'Aids is high. We will also be expected to work closely with colleagues from the university of Namibia, sharing best practice on aspects of the UK's approach to teaching PE and sport at school and club level that could be harnessed in Africa. I would Like to thank you in advance for all the support!