Arriving to Yida
Meeting the Green Kordofan team in Yida
Challenges and needs
The dedicated Green Kordofan staff who lead sports programmes for boys and girls are deserving of so much more than can be provided to them. They too are refugees living in Yida and are subjected to the complexities of life there. Their passion and commitment to deliver top quality programming for youth with limited resources sustains them, although it is harder and harder for them to maintain with little remuneration. Word has spread throughout Yida about Green Kordofan which makes the project victim to its’ own success. It’s a safe harbour; a place where “kids can be kids”. Through sport, the children are able to build life skills actively promoting values such as teamwork, fairplay, sport(wo)manship. They have bridged tribal divides through their interactions and even set the tone to welcome mixed gender interaction. Green Kordofan is a space that welcomes boys and girls – unique in an environment where the familiar demands on young girls can set them apart from activities outside the family.
Supplies are basic and in short supply. Good quality footballs, volleyballs, volleyball nets, footwear, transportation such as bicycles for children’s travel to and from the GK compound, leggings and under garments for girls to preserve their modesty while playing sport, pens, paper, flip charts, training for staff, water for relief while playing under the hot sun, increased payment to staff, including the logistics manager Alhadi Hassan in Juba who coordinates logistics for every single shipment of donated kit. If I thought my travel logistics was complicated, there is no comparison to what Alhadi is tasked to coordinate on a regular basis!
physical presence and the visit itself. It wasn’t until later upon reflection that I understood this fully. The people of the Nuba Mountains have faced years of war and double apartheid some say, for being both black African and largely Christian under decades of Islamist rule by the government of Sudan. The Khartoum government has sought to destroy the Nuba culture and their way of life. In fact, the intentional acts perpetrated by the government have threatened their very existence through systematic bombing and crimes against humanity. Our presence was welcome for many reasons. Importantly they want the world to know their story, their history, their culture. They want to be remembered. What’s more, they want to be seen.
Inside the compound, waiting patiently for our arrival were the Team Leaders – boys and girls - for each of the 38 teams officially registered with Green Kordofan. We were greeted by Senior Programme Coordinator David ‘Abdigan’ and staff members Uncle Yousif, Isaac, Zaki and Noura. We spent the next 2 hours getting to know each other. There were introductions all round, stories shared about life in Yida Refugee Camp, some difficult sharing about living through war in the Nuba Mountains and how much Green Kordofan and the staff mean to the youth. One young man told us “I had never met anyone from outside my tribe until I joined Green Kordofan. Now I have friends from many different tribes.” Another Team Leader told us one day he hopes to form the first ever Olympic football team from the Nuba Mountains!
Successes against the odds
Donated football kit and other supplies make the world of difference to the staff and youth in Yida. To this fact I can attest first hand. It’s often said that pictures are worth a thousand words so here are some images of Green Kordofan in action during my visit which highlight the successes of the project.
What you can do to help
- Learn about Green Kordofan and please donate, volunteer or ask how you can support! https://www.greenkordofan.com/
- Green Kordofan is a UK registered charity, number 1164386 and is Folkestone based.
- Contact Ms Raga Gibreel at greenkordofan@gmail.com or by phone 07969 842 722.