On Sunday 11th April, Giorgia joined the Never Give Up team followed by Ramadhani on Saturday 17th. Giorgia, from Italy, arrived from South Africa bringing with her all the excitement of the imminent FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa, while Ramadhani travelled the long journey all the way from Burundi to inspire us with his love of sport and the strong discipline of the great karateca he is.
The two have already united forces to organize the Never Give Up sport activities with the help and support of the local community creating an amazing multicultural team!
Giorgia Marchitelli:
Since an early age, I have been involved in swimming, initially as a swimmer and then as a swimming instructor both in my hometown in Italy and later in London, UK. The values and skills which I have acquired through sport have always accompanied me and made me recognize the importance of sport in the social and physical development of children.
I have completed a BA in International Studies and Diplomacy followed by an MA in African Studies. My interest in African societies developed since my first experience as an international volunteer in South Africa in 2001 and 2002, where I was involved in HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and women support groups at the Carl Sithole Social Centre in Soweto, a home for HIV/AIDS affected children and young women.
The Never Give Up project is able to unite two very important aspects of my life: sport and cooperation for development. I truly believe that Sport for Development is an amazing tool in our hands and the way forward in today’s society.
SINTUKA Ramadhani:
My early age has been characterized by youth and sports related activities in my home area.
Later on, I continued after being transferred for secondary school to Bujumbura where I introduced scout activities in an Islamic based school. I strengthened my involvement in sports such as Football, Basketball, Handball, Karate, Kick boxing and Rugby.
The skills I acquired accompanied me while in Uganda for studies and I was elected as Sports and Games prefect, requested to join the Karate national team of which later on I became the national coach, chairman of the Technical comity and African Karate Federation Union for Zone 5.
At university, I obtained a BA in Social Sciences majoring in International Relations, a MA in Leadership and Human Relations, International Relations and Diploma in French.
I worked for several times as a Volunteer in JJB (Jumelage Jeunesse du Burundi), involving mobilizing youth and adult for development activities, sport to fight against HIV/AIDS.
Burundi at one time had fallen in ethnic crush; a synergy of NGOs, organized sports as one of the tools to create a peaceful environment. I spearheaded sport activities and the impact was remarkable.
My sports and education involvement continued with Kabira Internatinal School and Kampala High, Haka Tahir Karate and Yin Yang Karate Temple.
The Never Give Up project has come to strengthen me where I would learn how sport can go far in changing the society basing on youth and children. I must confess to be proud that Never Give Up has given me an opportunity as child of Africa to support the positive dynamic of our continent and the world at large.