Project update: Sport for Schools Footballs and Netballs

The Zambia Society Trust has for many years donated footballs and netballs to Zambia. Initially the project concentrated on donating to secondary schools, with 50 schools each year receiving both footballs and netballs. More recently ZST provided balls additionally to primary and community schools. Since 2013 the Trust has donated only to community schools that are short of facilities for sport, especially in rural areas.

ZST donates to Alive and Kicking a UK registered charity with a Head Office in London. Alive and Kicking manufactures the balls at their factory in Lusaka. They also have manufacturing facilities in Kenya and Ghana.  Funds are sent to the London office who then transfer the money directly to Alive and Kicking in Lusaka.  In 2024 £2,000 was donated by ZST to Alive and Kicking.

The balls are distributed by Zambia Open Community Schools (‘ZOCS’) to schools with an emphasis on rural areas in the more remote parts of the country and directly by the Trust to schools and organisations in the Eastern Province.

Due to the favourable Sterling Kwacha exchange rate 146 footballs and netballs (one football and one netball for each school) were provided to ZOCS (2023 106 balls) and distributed to Community schools in Mazabuka, Nkeyema, Serenje, Chikankata and Lufwanyama districts. A further 24 footballs and netballs were provided to the Eastern Province.  The balls are hard wearing and suitable for hard surfaces.  The balls are kept for special occasions, such as cup matches.

This project works well because of the co-operation with ZOCS and Alive and Kicking. ZOCS has a central office in Lusaka.  Petronella Sibeene Communications & Advocacy Manager sends us regular reports on the distribution of balls.

ZOCS was established in Zambia in 1992 to empower communities to provide quality basic education to 259,691 (127,232 girls and 132,459 boys) Orphans and Vulnerable Children (‘OVC’) in 1,385 Community Schools in 97 Districts in the 10 provinces of Zambia, based on the principle that every child has a “right to education”.  ZOCS works with a number of partners including Alive & Kicking.

This is an extract from a recent ZOCS Report:

“Over the years, Alive & Kicking has donated footballs and netballs to Community Schools through Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS). This gesture has seen thousands of learners enjoy attending school where apart from learning, they enjoy playing football or netball.

For ZOCS, footballs and netballs are considered helpful for learners for the following reasons;

Enhance collaborative abilities, self-confidence and social skills in children in Community Schools and the youths in communities (youths use school grounds for sports)

Encourage children to broaden their talents since understanding the principles of one sport makes it simpler to learn the regulations of another.

Early physical education at school teaches the concept of collaboration whereas being part of the team provides vulnerable children with the feeling of identity.

ZOCS appreciates the unwavering support from its partners. This support in form of footballs and netballs hugely contribute towards promoting education and development in the lives of the OVC.”