Basic Information:

  • Founded in: 2003
  • Located in: Lagos, Nigeria

Short Description:
In football-crazy Nigeria, Search and Groom's offer of organised street football has attracted enormous attention across Lagos. Through participating in tournaments and leagues the youths are then exposed to further activities, including an HIV/AIDS awareness programme, civic studies and community service. Search and Groom seeks to provide capacity building programmes, training, rehabilitation, employment, sports and recreation opportunities for Nigerians without bias. The organisation, a streetfootballworld network member since 2005 , sees sport as an ideal learning tool for life's essential skills as well as an effective method in achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals within the local community. The overall objective is to create safe, healthy and financially self-reliant communities in Nigeria.

Search and Groom commenced its activities in Ajegunle, an impoverished area of Lagos that suffers from high crime and low income. The district has a proud sporting tradition, however, producing the likes of Jonathan Akpoborie, Emmanuel Amunike, Samson Siasia and other current and former members of the Super Eagles. Search and Groom has successfully tapped into this sporting passion to mobilise thousands of youths in Ajegunle and, increasingly, across the entire city.

Target Groups:

  • Youths
  • Homeless and Displaced People
  • Unemployed
  • Prison Rehabs
  • Drug Rehabs
  • Other vulnerable people

Thematic Fields:

  • Children's Rights & Education
  • Health Promotion
  • Anti-Discrimination and Social Integration
  • Peace and Reconciliation

Support within the Framework of the Football for Hope Movement:
In 2006, the Football for Hope Movement supported the Free Kick project, which raised social awareness and responsibility for troubled and socially disadvantaged children. 60 teams from four project areas participated in the scheme that offered morning lessons on HIV/AIDS, human rights, civic education, community development and economic empowerment combined with evening football matches for all participants. Also in 2006, Search and Groom participated in a know-how exchange over a five month period with their West African partner United Action for Children in Cameroon, aimed at improving HIV/AIDS awareness and football training activities.

In 2007, Search and Groom were supported in their organisation of the Street Soccer League Cup, a large-scale tournament following on from the success of Free Kick. The event combined educational sessions on a variety of topics including HIV/AIDS awareness and corruption with a fast-paced football tournament.

Contact Details:
Organisation: Search & Groom
Name: Yomi Kuku
Address: 7 Ijagun St, Alapere, Ketu
City: Lagos
Country: Nigeria
Telephone: 234 (0) 803 354 0710
Telephone: 234 - 1- 8769 225
Email: yomi@searchandgroom-ng.org
www.searchandgroom-ng.org