This is the story of how an idea – with passion, dedication and a huge collective effort – has developed into the exciting and ambitious sports and education charitable organisation we see today. And the journey’s just getting started…
Malawi is listed as one of the poorest countries in the world economically, with HIV/Aids, Malaria, teenage pregnancies, sub-standard literacy and numeracy rates and school drop-outs presenting persistent social challenges. Through sport, education and promoting healthy life choices in a welcoming and receptive community, BPF is enabling transformational change.
Mtema is a 710 square kilometre rural village community an hour’s drive north-west of Lilongwe with a population of 59,000; 35,000 of which are below 18 years of age. Homes here are traditionally constructed of sticks, mud and burnt or unburnt bricks (made from a mixture of water and sand placed in moulds and dried in the open air). Cooking is done over the fire in a separate building with a smoke hole in the roof. People bathe outside. Water is carried, often over great distances, for cooking and bathing.
BPF development officer, Wordsworth Rashid, leads a year-round rugby and life-skills program with six primary schools, five secondary schools and one club; involving 700 players, aged 10 - 18. Wordsworth works with over forty actively engaged teachers and coaches to deliver curricular and extra-curricular sessions and coordinate monthly fixtures.
Bhubesi Pride Foundation is realising a dream. Having purchased a 7-acre site in rural Lilongwe, build plans are underway to lay a full-size sports field, netball court and volleyball court and construct a clubhouse (with two large learning spaces, changing rooms, offices, kitchen, canteen and viewing deck), on-site accommodation for visitors, storage space, manager’s house and parking. Plans to sustainably maximise the centre’s use include developing our core rugby and life-skills schools program, and, by partnering relevant in-country and international organisations, introduce additional activities, such as tutoring, adult learning, healthcare, IT and teacher training.
Pictures and Information provided by Bhubesi Pride Foundation