DUNK - Developing Unity Nurturing Knowledge

About us

DUNK standing for Developing Unity Nurturing Knowledge is a youth-led, community-based providing safe spaces for youth and at-risk women in deprived communities to play, learn and grow. Through basketball, after-school classes, life skills and vocational training; DUNK empowers its members to succeed on and off the basketball court and become agents of change in their respective communities.
Mohammed and Marie-Eve established DUNK in 2011 in Nima, Accra Ghana reaching out to 80 children. After ten years of operation, the organization is now working in 7 locations in Accra and Tamale reaching over 1500 children annually, employed six full time and two part-time local employees and hosts an average of 30 local and international volunteers per month.

Our mission is to create safe spaces for at-risk women and children ages 8-25 living in the most deprived communities of Accra. Through sports (basketball), after-school support, life-skills & vocational training, we encourage our members to Play, Learn & Grow as well as empowering them to become agents of change in their own communities.

Projects:
• Access to Sports Project: DUNK is contributing to the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the child by providing safe, inclusive facilities for all children regardless of the background, religion or race to PLAY and improve their health and well-being. Twelve (12) sports team are established within four aged categories, namely: U12 -U14 -U16 - U21 & Adult team, four of the group being an all-girls team. All participants have access to sports gears, coaches and quarterly tournaments for motivation and evaluation.
• Education Project: DUNK is trying to support children by providing conducive space and access to resources to enable their studies. All participants at DUNK must complete mandatory library hours to qualify for a sports training session. Furthermore, excelling participants are enrolled in SaC project to complete their basic educational needs. So far 4 participants are enrolled in universities and over 50 beneficiaries in elementary and high school through the sponsorship project
• Youth Empowerment Project: The youth empowerment model is based on the core life skills laid down by the World Health Organization and addresses critical societal issues identified by participants. The life skills training focuses on three levels of empowerment: Individual Level: Self-awareness; Coping with stress and emotions; Critical thinking; Reflective decision-making. Group Level: Interpersonal Skills; Empathy; Effective Communication; Problem Solving. Community Level: Democracy; Gender Equality; Sustainable Community; Creating Partnership.
• Women Economic Empowerment Program: By supporting our social business model, we are partnering with single-mothers to realize their dreams of providing for their families, educating their children, improving their health, and saving for the future. They achieve prosperity by learning, creating and selling hand made products.
• Art for Peace Project: An initiative birthed in 2018 by passionate youth with a mission to change the narrative and perception of a local artist. All participants involved in the art for peace project are students in high school and the universities pursuing a career in arts.

Mohammed Tahir is the Programme Manager of DUNK - Developing Unity Nurturing Knowledge.

For other net participants we can offer an expert guidance through trained staff, give an expert opinion, procure expert information and establish new contacts in the field of our work.