Developing Unity Nurturing Knowledge
- Provide a safe and healthy environment in which the rights of children is put forward
- Develop physical, social and emotional competences and cognitive development of children and youth through sports and leadership skills
- Encourage children to excel in and out of the classroom as well as retaining their school enrolment
- Empowering and provide teenage mothers and at-risk girls with economic stability
- Provide Sexual Health education for teenage mothers and at-risk youth with partners
- Promote early-child literacy and development for the babies of teenage mothers
- Promote respect, self-esteem, leadership, commitment and teamwork In their work DUNK uses a triangle method based on three pillars:
In their work DUNK uses a triangle method based on three pillars:
- Athletic Development – Through the establishment of basketball teams, DUNK appeals and out-reaches to children living in deprived communities. Central to the quality of life of young people, as a key source to friendship, social and self‐identity, and as a deterrent and diversion from crime – is participation in sports activities. Participation in sport is proven to positively impact cognitive and social skills and health. It can also reduce impulsiveness, risk‐taking and positively impact behaviour by raising self‐esteem and confidence.
- Academic Development – Through tutorial sessions, after school programs and our educational centre (library), members are assisted in their studies and encouraged to further their education. DUNK also provides scholarships to those most needy.
- Personal Development – Through mentoring sessions and life-skills training, our members are given the tools to impact and positively influence their peers and own community.
DUNK is able to reach over hundreds of kids, from primary to Junior High School level. In Ghana education is supposed to be free (up to high school level). Unfortunately, there are many hidden costs preventing students, especially those from urban communities, from attending and finishing their education. These hidden costs add up to roughly $200 dollars per year. Our goal is therefore to have a scholarship for each of our members helping them to stay in and finish school.
In classes of sometimes 60+ pupils, children get “lost” in the system and have little support should they need it. The DUNK team therefore works hard at linking families with sponsors, as well as monitor the student’s attendance and progress with their education. Since parents and legal guardians are seldom home after school, DUNK provides a space where young people can practice Basketball and leadership skills, learn and play indoor games, have access to books, attend education and skills classes, and socialize with each other and their mentors.
DUNK’s members participate in an afterschool program with professional teachers that volunteer with us during the week. We mainly focus on English and Math, but we also enroll kids in other educational activities such as science workshops, writing workshops, reading classes, arts class and much more. By monitoring the kids through their academic year by collecting their report cards we are able to make sure every kid is getting the help and assistance they might need. We also catch those who drop out and help and motivate them to get back into school.
