11/10/2025
Breaking Barriers: Joan and Patricia Inspire Change for Girls in Football at St. Paul’s Vocational Secondary School
As we celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, NeFCoRD proudly celebrates Masika Patricia and Opio Joan, students of St. Paul’s Vocational Secondary School who are Senior Four students and footballers of Kamaiba Soccer Academy supported by New life Foundation for Community Rural Development (NeFCoRD). Their courage, determination, and leadership continue to break barriers for girls in sports and education.
For two consecutive years; 2023 and 2024, St. Paul’s Vocational Secondary School had consistently supported only the boys’ football team to participate in the inter-school football competitions in Kasese district organized by . Girls, though equally passionate, were left behind. But Patricia, a spirited footballer trained at Kamaiba Soccer Academy with NeFCoRD’s support, decided to challenge this inequality.
When her (Patricia) school administration declined to allow girls to participate in the 2024 competition, citing financial constraints and limited resources, Patricia boldly asked to join the boys’ team. The request was denied.
Frustrated but not defeated, she went to the offices, questioning why girls were trained in football if schools did not recognize or support their participation.
Moved by her passion, Mr. Mukwano Titus the NeFCoRD Programmes Director, and Coach Baluku Jimmy, pledged to engage the school in 2025 to advocate for the inclusion of girls in football.
In the same year, Opio Joan, also a student at St. Paul’s and a footballer under Kamaiba Soccer Academy, was elected Health Prefect. Together with Bwambale Mutoto, the school’s Games and Sports Prefect and fellow footballer at Kamaiba Soccer Academy, Joan approached NeFCoRD to support their advocacy for girls’ football.
NeFCoRD encouraged Joan and Patricia to spearhead a campaign within the school to convince the administration.
