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ILF Arrows For Peace
Proposed Sports Academy

Empowering World Through Sports
Join us in promoting peace and empowerment globally.

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Peace Building Initiatives

Empowering communities through sports and leadership.

Training champions for a better future.

Advocating for gender equality in sports.

Global Coaching

Athlete Development

Empowering Girls Through Sports

Irene Limika Foundation champions peace and empowerment for girls & boys in Kenya and around the world leveraging sports to address social challenges and inspire future leaders through athletic excellence and community initiatives.

Our Mission

Our Vision

Led by Olympic coach Irene Limika, our foundation is dedicated to fostering resilience and leadership among young women, promoting gender equality, and creating lasting change in conflict-affected communities.

Arrows for Peace: “we shoot to score. Not kill” Celebrating the Olympic values in Kenya

In East Africa, cattle rustling – that is, stealing – is alive and very well. Rustling is linked to climate change, a knock-on effect from food shortages that can then see one tribe killing another’s cattle. More, it’s big business, an entrepreneurial crime estimated to cost the region north of USD 25 million per year. And for all that, these modern-times cowboys prefer bows and arrows. What if the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) could take that sharpshooting talent and re-direct it away from violence and conflict? Toward – sport? Archery? Kenyans are famed the world over for running. For their legs. How about their – hands?Thus was launched over several months in 2022, in and around Kenya’s several provinces, an initiative called Arrows for Peace. The NOC-K President, Paul Tergat, an IOC member, and himself a legendary runner, called Arrows for Peace “revolutionary and exciting in its innovative approach to sport”. It’s not just because Kenya might soon enough develop Olympic-class archery talent, though the NOC-K is upfront about that. Arrows for Peace is driven by a foundation overseen by a woman: Irene Limika, a Kenyan national steeplechase champion. Another woman, NOC employee Susan Adhiambo, helps Limika direct the programme. And in a warrior culture, indisputably male-oriented, Limika and Adhiambo are upfront about encouraging girls and women, too, to take up bow and arrow. For sport.“Arrows and bows – men are allowed to hold them in my communities,” Limika said. “Women traditionally are not allowed. I am breaking another world.” Moreover, as the NOC President observed in the field, “These female archers are very good, and now they are using arrows for sport and it is very good.”Tergat thinks this project may even change the local economy:“It’s a transformation, also because we use the local craftsmen to produce the arrows.” Esther Wakhiya from Bungoma County, in western Kenya, said, “I’m viewing sports quite differently from what I thought. Who knew arrows can be a sign of peace? Not from this place!” The 2022 project operated in three pieces. In February, a see-how-it-goes “pre-activity” was organised in Kajiado, about 80 kilometres south of Nairobi, on the way to Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro. Lessons learnt, follow-up camps were held in the famed Rift Valley, one in June and a second in September. Each ran for three days, ending in a competition. Evenings were given over to workshops on the Olympic values. Overarching point: to reach experts in violent thieving so they might – could – return to “particularly peaceful coexistence in their communities”. Adhiambo said, “We told them, ‘You’re playing with weapons. What if you get shot?’ They said that would be OK. Can you imagine someone with that sort of attitude? They have no fear. These are kids – 14, 15 years old. “We saw this is something we need to address. If this is the attitude of a kid, imagine when they become adults?” How many were reached? From “grassroots sport”: 100 men, 60 women. From the “general public”: 200 men, 200 women. “Senior citizens”? Two men, 20 women. For the organisers, the next step is for government – or an NGO – to pick up on the programme’s reach. Adhiambo: “Everyone keeps coming back to us, saying, ‘When can we do this again?’” For Paul Tergat, it is clear that his NOC will remain committed so that Arrows for Peace doesn’t stop here: “We hope this project will continue for many years, and I want to thank Olympic Solidarity for supporting us, which is a key thing because it’s a project that is going to grow, and we’re hoping that going forward we will produce a lot of champions in Achery

Olympics International

Empowerment Through Sports

We empower girls and promote peace through sports initiatives in conflict-affected communities across Kenya.

Athlete Training Programs

World-class training for aspiring athletes to achieve their dreams and excel in sports.

A group of young girls in blue and orange sports jerseys is seated on a metal bench beside a soccer field. The grass is bright green, indicating a well-maintained sports ground. A woman in an orange top and jeans stands nearby, possibly a coach or a parent.

Peace Building Initiatives

Programs focused on using sports as a tool for peace and community development.

Join us in empowering communities through sports and making a positive impact together.

Community Engagement Efforts

Irene Limika Foundation

& Arrows for Peace

ARROWS FOR PEACE & IRENE LIMIKA FOUNDATION

The Irene Limika Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing educational support to underprivileged children in Africa and all over the World..

According to their website, the foundation's education program aims to:

1. Provide scholarships to needy students

2. Improve access to quality education

3. Support educational infrastructure development

4. Promote literacy and numeracy skills

Their efforts aim to empower young minds, break the cycle of poverty, and contribute to socio-economic development.

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PROGRAMS

Sports & Education

Sports and Environment

Economic Benefits

1. Revenue generation: Sports and entertainment events attract large audiences, generating significant revenue from ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting rights.

2. Sponsorship and advertising: Sports and entertainment platforms offer lucrative opportunities for brands to reach their target audiences.

Emotional Connection

1. Passion and excitement: Sports and entertainment evoke strong emotions, creating a sense of excitement, loyalty, and community among fans.

2. Shared experiences: Live events and broadcasts bring people together, fostering social connections and shared memories.

Cultural Significance

1. Identity and representation: Sports and entertainment often reflect and shape cultural identities, providing platforms for representation and self-expression.

2. Social commentary and activism: Many sports and entertainment figures use their platforms to raise awareness about social issues and promote positive change.

Technological Advancements

1. Broadcasting and streaming: Advances in technology have made it possible to broadcast and stream sports and entertainment content to global audiences.

2. Immersive experiences: Innovations like virtual and augmented reality are enhancing the fan experience, creating new opportunities for engagement and interaction.

Intersection of Industries

1. Crossover collaborations: Sports and entertainment often intersect, with athletes appearing in films and TV shows, and celebrities participating in sports events.

2. Talent development: Sports and entertainment can provide platforms for talent discovery and development, with many athletes and performers transitioning between industries.

The combination of economic benefits, emotional connection, cultural significance, technological advancements, and intersection of industries makes sports and entertainment a dynamic and influential sector.