Play It Dream It Project Under The Manchester City Partnership, April 2026

In April 2026, FAME Foundation continued its community engagement and youth development efforts through the Play It Dream It initiative and advocacy sensitization outreaches across different communities in Lagos State. The activities focused on using sport and community-based engagement to promote leadership, healthy living, emotional awareness, social inclusion, and access to safe learning spaces for children and young people.

The month featured two editions of the Grassroots Football Bootcamp under the Play It Dream It program in Ikorodu and Surulere, alongside advocacy sensitization outreaches carried out in Ikorodu and Ikotun Bus Park.

These activities were designed to create meaningful impact within underserved communities while equipping participants with practical life skills through interactive sessions and sport-based engagement.

Play It Dream It Grassroots Football Bootcamp – Ikorodu

The first edition of the Play It Dream It Grassroots Football Bootcamp for the month was held in Ikorodu in partnership with Manchester City and Midea Global. The bootcamp brought together children and young people from underserved communities for football training sessions and life skills engagement.

The initiative focused on self-discipline, leadership, resilience, teamwork, consistency, and emotional awareness through structured football activities and mentorship.

Objectives

• To increase access to football opportunities for underprivileged children
• To use football as a tool for teaching life skills and leadership
• To create a safe and engaging environment for children within the community
• To encourage healthy lifestyles and social interaction among participants
• To promote confidence, teamwork, and positive decision-making
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Activities Conducted

• Football drills and training sessions
• Team-building exercises
• Mentorship and interactive discussions
• Leadership and resilience sessions
• Community engagement activities

Impact

The bootcamp provided participants with an opportunity to learn beyond sport by encouraging discipline, communication, responsibility, and teamwork. It also created a positive atmosphere where children could connect, interact, and engage in healthy recreational activities within their community.

Play It Dream It Grassroots Football Bootcamp – Surulere

The second edition of the Grassroots Football Bootcamp was held in Surulere under the Play It Dream It program in partnership with Manchester City and Midea Global.

The bootcamp continued the initiative’s mission of using football as a platform for youth engagement, life skills development, and community inclusion.

Participants were encouraged to build responsibility, consistency, determination, leadership, and resilience both on and off the pitch.

Objectives

• To continue expanding access to football opportunities within underserved communities
• To strengthen leadership and personal development among participants
• To provide structured activities that encourage discipline and teamwork
• To promote emotional awareness and healthy living
• To create safe spaces for learning, growth, and recreation
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Activities Conducted

• Football training and drills
• Leadership-focused engagement sessions
• Interactive mentorship activities
• Team participation exercises
• Physical wellness and recreational activities
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Impact

The Surulere bootcamp strengthened community participation and encouraged children to actively engage in positive developmental activities. The initiative also reinforced the importance of safe recreational spaces while supporting social bonding, confidence-building, and healthy lifestyles.

Advocacy Sensitization Outreach – Ikorodu

The Advocacy Sensitization Outreach in Ikorodu focused on raising awareness about the impact of parental pressure on children and the long-term effects it can have on their emotional wellbeing, confidence, academic performance, and overall development.

The outreach engaged parents, guardians, young people, and community members in meaningful conversations around unrealistic expectations, excessive academic demands, comparison among children, emotional neglect, and the pressure to constantly meet societal standards.

The sensitization also emphasized the importance of supportive parenting, healthy communication, emotional awareness, and creating safe environments where children can grow, express themselves, and develop without fear or unhealthy pressure.

Community members were encouraged to adopt more balanced and intentional approaches to parenting that prioritize children’s mental wellbeing, emotional safety, confidence, and personal growth.

Objectives

• To raise awareness on the effects of parental pressure on children
• To encourage healthy communication between parents and children
• To promote emotional wellbeing and supportive parenting practices
• To educate community members on the importance of balanced expectations for children
• To strengthen community awareness around child development and mental wellbeing

Activities Conducted

• Community sensitization sessions
• Interactive discussions with parents and residents
• Public awareness engagement
• Advocacy conversations on emotional wellbeing and child development
• Distribution of informational materials

Impact

The outreach increased awareness on the emotional and psychological effects of excessive parental pressure on children, particularly how constant criticism, comparison, unrealistic expectations, and lack of emotional support can affect confidence, self-esteem, and mental wellbeing.

Parents and community members actively participated in discussions on healthier parenting approaches, emotional support systems, and the importance of encouraging children without placing harmful pressure on them.

The sensitization also encouraged stronger communication between parents and children while promoting safer emotional environments that support learning, personal growth, confidence-building, and healthy child development.

Advocacy Sensitization Outreach – Ikotun Bus Park

The Advocacy Sensitization Outreach at Ikotun Bus Park focused on creating awareness about the repercussions of violence and its effects on individuals, families, and communities.

The outreach engaged commuters, transport workers, traders, youth, and members of the public through advocacy conversations centered on conflict, aggression, abuse, public safety, and the social consequences of violent behaviour.

The sensitization highlighted how violence contributes to insecurity, emotional trauma, fear, instability, and community breakdown while encouraging peaceful coexistence, respect, tolerance, and responsible behaviour.

Using direct public engagement within the busy bus park environment, the outreach created opportunities for people to reflect on the importance of non-violence, conflict resolution, and collective responsibility in maintaining safer communities.

Objectives

• To raise awareness about the consequences of violence
• To promote peaceful coexistence and responsible behaviour
• To encourage conflict resolution and community accountability
• To engage members of the public through direct advocacy
• To strengthen grassroots awareness and public education efforts

Activities Conducted

• Public sensitization and awareness engagement
• One-on-one advocacy conversations
• Community interaction and engagement
• Public outreach activities within the bus park environment

Impact

The outreach successfully engaged members of the public in conversations around the effects of violence on individuals, families, and communities. Participants reflected on how violence contributes to fear, insecurity, emotional distress, and social instability.

The sensitization promoted awareness on peaceful coexistence, conflict resolution, emotional control, and responsible social behaviour while encouraging community members to actively contribute to safer and more respectful public spaces.

The outreach also increased public participation and strengthened grassroots advocacy efforts within the Ikotun community.

General Outcomes

Across all four projects implemented in April 2026, FAME Foundation successfully:

• Increased youth and community engagement through sport and advocacy
• Expanded access to football and safe recreational activities for children
• Promoted leadership, resilience, discipline, and teamwork among participants
• Strengthened awareness creation and grassroots sensitization efforts
• Encouraged healthy lifestyles, emotional awareness, and positive social interaction
• Reinforced the importance of community-based development initiatives

Conclusion

The April 2026 activities reflected FAME Foundation’s continued commitment to youth development, community engagement, advocacy, and social impact. Through the Play It Dream It Grassroots Football Bootcamp and advocacy sensitization outreaches, the organization created opportunities for learning, participation, awareness, and personal growth within underserved communities.

The successful implementation of these projects further highlights the importance of sport and grassroots engagement as tools for empowerment, inclusion, and positive social change.