98 young footballers in PVFA development program graduate from ‘yut rise up’ workshops

Port Vila Football Association Vice President John Stephen Tougan with ‘yut rise up’ PVFA graduate Jessica James.  
Credit: yutriseup/Savvy Vanuatu

Port Vila, Vanuatu – Friday 29 November 2024: Ninety-eight (98) adolescents in Port Vila Football Association’s (PVFA) youth programs recently graduated from the ‘yut rise up’ six-week workshop program run by Youth Challenge Vanuatu (YCV) and Save the Children.

Designed to foster positive youth development and prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the ‘yut rise up’ workshop program is being delivered to over 1,500 youth by trained YCV facilitators in community organisations and schools in Port Vila and Luganville over two years.

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PVFA Partnership Gets Results

Each PVFA youth participant received an official certificate in recognition of their efforts and personal growth throughout the ‘yut rise up’ course.

The ‘yut rise up’ workshops complement the Association’s development goals to provide their youth participants with valuable life skills that complement their on-field training.

In his opening speech at the graduation ceremony on Monday, 11 November, PVFA ‘s Vice President John Stephen Tougon emphasized the importance of the ‘yut rise up’ training for young people and their families.

“I’m glad this workshop will help these young people in their careers, whether in football or another sport,” he said.

“It’s crucial they develop skills beyond the pitch. These skills will help them succeed in life, no matter what path they choose.”

Mr. Tougon, who has been involved in football since 2003, highlighted the challenges young athletes face today, noting that many of these challenges occur off the field.

He thanked Youth Challenge Vanuatu and Save the Children for partnering with PVFA to offer the ‘yut rise up’ workshop program, which equips participants with valuable life skills.

The workshops taught the boys and girls aged between 10-14 and 15-19 years old about respect, healthy and safe relationships, making positive life choices and creating supportive friendships, and leadership skills.

They also learnt about GBV, confidence and leadership, reproductive health, conflict resolution and communication skills.

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Positive Impact

Jessica, a 19-year-old PVFA participant from Malapoa, shared how the ‘yut rise up’ workshops have positively impacted her.

 “I think this workshop will help me in my future because what I’ve learned really interests me, especially about good communication and healthy relationships based on respect.”

“In communication, when you speak with someone, it’s not about treating everyone differently – everyone is equal. Whether you are talking to a child or an adult, you treat everyone with respect and kindness,” she said.

“You must build good relationships with different people.”

Graham Manses, PVFA’s Development Officer, shared positive feedback from both participants and their families.

“We’ve seen gradual changes in the adolescents’ behaviour,” he said.

“Parents have expressed their gratitude for the program, noting that it’s not only positively impacted their children’s approach to football but also their attitudes at home.”

Johnny Kalowi, PVFA’s Administration Officer, added that more than 100 children have been registered in PVFA’s youth development program, which teaches football skills.

He noted the importance of complementing their program with workshops like ‘yut rise up’.

“We’ve previously run similar programs and seen positive results alongside the Ministry of Justice through the youth desk,” he explained.

“When YCV approached us to run the ‘yut rise up’ workshops, we were eager to collaborate again, knowing how important it is to foster positive behaviour and off-field discipline in our youth.”

Johnny also emphasized the power of peer influence.

“When a group of kids with strong positive values come together, they can help lift up their peers who may have negative behaviours,” he said.

Larisa Csiba, YCV’s ‘yut rise up’ workshop coordinator, highlighted the importance of teaching responsibility during the program.

“Taking responsibility is one of the qualities that are highlighted during these six weeks. This starts at home. When you wake up, ensure the bed is made. Assist with household tasks. Be responsible for your schoolwork and decision-making.”

“By taking responsibility, they will become more capable, resilient, and emotionally intelligent individuals who are better prepared to navigate life’s challenges,” she concluded.

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‘yut rise up’ Workshop Program

To date, more than 400 young people have graduated from the ‘yut rise up’ workshop program in Luganville and Port Vila.

The workshop program is delivered weekly for two-hour sessions over a six-week period in separate sessions for both boys and girls aged between 10-14 and 15-19.

Complementing the youth workshops, are weekly parent workshops run by YCV over a four-week period. The parent workshops offer advice on communicating with adolescents, helping kids navigate peer pressure and tips on how to keep kids safe online.

The innovative, participatory youth workshops feature international best-practice curriculum that has been co-designed in Vanuatu with young people and their parents to ensure culturally appropriate and effective messaging, training delivery and learning occurs.

Youth Challenge Vanuatu and Save the Children will continue to run the six-week ‘yut rise up’ community-based workshop program in schools and community organisations in Port Vila and Luganville until the end of 2025.

Schools and community organisations, including youth groups, churches and sporting clubs, are encouraged to express their interest now to join 2025 ‘yut rise up’ workshop intake by submitting a short online form on the ‘yut rise up’ website at www.yutriseup.com or contacting Youth Challenge Vanuatu.

These workshops are part of the broader ‘yut rise up’ GBV prevention initiative led by Save the Children Vanuatu and supported by Ministry of Justice and Community Services via the Department of Women’s Affairs, and backing from the Asian Development Bank

 The ‘yut rise up’ GBV prevention initiative also includes a mentoring program for teenage girls, an online youth campaign, and a film being produced by Wan Smolbag.