Members of the Emed football team holding up a HIV health poster

October 2010: Girls and boys in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa have formed a football team to reach out and educate young people in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

More than 50 children are involved in the Emed soccer team project which seeks to raise awareness on the transmission and prevention of HIV and AIDS and tackle widespread prejudice.

Plan training

Supported by Plan and partner organisations, members of the football team have completed several training sessions on HIV and AIDS and attended forums and discussions on HIV and other health issues, with the intention of sharing the knowledge with their peers.

“I have learnt how particularly children are vulnerable to the health and social costs of HIV and AIDS,” says 12-year-old Efreim. “After their parents are dead, many children end up on the street.”

The team takes part in regular games at local schools and other public events to spread their health message. Each member wears a shirt that reads: ‘My newborn baby will not contract HIV during birth,’ to encourage mothers to take the necessary steps to protect their babies.

Challenging stereotypes

Learning about the hardships of others has driven team members to challenge stereotypes in their own communities. Discrimination against those with HIV and AIDS is a big problem in Ethiopia with many staying silent about their status and not seeking treatment for fear of the stigma associated with the disease. 

“As a team we welcome HIV positive children to our soccer team to play with us. We are trying to cultivate this type of behaviour among children and young people. Since we started working as a team we are observing behavioural changes particularly among our friends in our school,” says 17-year-old Helina.

Breaking taboos

Helina has also been breaking taboos on condom use by literally wearing them on her clothes. “I wear a T-shirt that I hang condoms on…and people ask me what it is. I explain to them about it, how to use it and where it is available,” she says.

The Emed soccer team also provides support to friends who are living with HIV or those who care for their HIV positive parents or relatives full time.

They are determined to continue spreading awareness at their matches and helping to protect their community.

Learn more about Plan’s work in Ethiopia

Read about Plan’s global work on sexual health