Project Update: Footballs and Netballs

Following ZST’s recent donation of footballs and netballs for the benefit of orphans and vulnerable children in community schools we have received a report on the distribution of the balls from Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS). Extracts are below.

“The 132 (57 football and 75 netballs) valued at K76 653 were distributed in schools with mainly the support of Members of Parliament for Central and Southern Provinces, who have come to appreciate and support ZOCS’ work.

The generous support was meant to help Community School learners have a platform and tools for sport and playful teaching. In addition, this gesture helps keep learners actively engaged in school and community sports thereby keeping them away from negative vices”.

“Why balls are appreciated

It is not surprising that in most schools in rural Zambia, one may find only one ball and mostly made from plastic papers or old rugged clothes.

As shared by the headteacher at Kawama Community School in Kabwe, ‘the school has a total number of 478 learners, with one worn out soccer ball. Learners have to take turns to play or else they'd improvise a ball by rolling up scraps of cloth and bits of string. The trouble has always been that the older learners tend to get all the ball time, while most of the other children never get near it’.”

“Bweengwa learners celebrate 2025 independence playing football

Bweengwa is a village of about 53,198 people. The children of that constituency love soccer. People gather in front of solar powered television in the houses to watch soccer games. Moreso, children get excited when it’s time for Physical Education (sports) albeit the decrepit balls they use.

When ZOCS presented the balls to the Member of Parliament Honorable Michelo Kasauta, it was clear as he passed on the gifts that the lustre of handing a ball to a child never gets old. That exchange was met with unconcealable smiles, deepest expressions of gratitude, and shared acknowledgement of a connection unlike any other.

Asked how he felt about the new balls, Bweengwa Community School Learner Gilbert Hangandu said, "I felt like I've got a bit more skillful just because of the new ball. I'm young and up until now I hardly got the chance to get a touch. Now I want to practice with this new ball, so I can improve."

Honourable Michelo Kasauta shakes hands with community members who were competing with learners from various Community Schools

Honourable Kasauta commented, ‘The benefits of getting young people into football are wide ranging. Roughly, a good number of children suffer from stress, anxiety, depression or some other mental health concern. Thus, sports greatly benefit the children’s mood and ability to manage their mental health better. More importantly, donation such as this one gives talented young people from vulnerable backgrounds a way to transcend their circumstances’.

Community Schools that benefitted in Bweengwa district include;

1.    Bweengwa
2.    Nalutanda
3.    Mutanzhyi
4.    Mooya
5.    Ganda
6.    Hamangaba
7.    Makamba
8.    Makonka
9.    Nyamba
10.   Himabilo
11.   Mahiba
12.   Ntaamba
13.   Malundu
14.   Ntandabale
15.   Nakansangwe
16.   Luchenje
17.   Bbolomani
18.   Luyaba
19.   Kanundwa
20.   Nteme
21.   Gonhwe

Bweengwa MP with ZOCS Executive Director

The received support reached out to 11 Community Schools in Kabwe district, 21 in Bweengwa-Monze, 10 in Choma District and 22 in Chibombo District.

1. Kawama Community School
2. Grace Nakoli Community School
3. Kakama Community School
4. Natuseko Community School
5. Kakama Community School
6. Natuseko Community School
7. Katondo Boccs Community School
8. Arteco Community School
9. Katuntulu Community School
10. Nyenyezi Community School
11. Kaputula Community School

Member of Parliament for Katuba Constituency and Central Province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa received the balls at the ZOCS Offices for Community Schools in his Constituency. The distribution took place during his constituency monitoring exercise as parliament was in recess.

The balls donated benefitted a total of 8,111 learners from ECE to Grade 7 with 4,041 being girls and 4,070 being Boys.

Central Province MP flanked by ZOCS staff as he received the balls on behalf of learners in Community Schools

Challenge (s)

The challenge for ZOCS remains the limited logistical support that may limit the staff from attending sporting activities or competition or reach out children in far flung areas where the need is and yet, may not serve as current implementation sites for the organization hence, working with Members of Parliament.”

“In conclusion

ZOCS Executive Director shared that delivering footballs was not just about inspiring the future crop of sports men. Women’s football was becoming increasingly popular and as it does, it was opening up to a raft of countless opportunities for the girl child too. The girls in schools can also train, foster critical skills and possibly secure striking careers”.