Result of our 2025 Christmas Footballs and Netballs Appeal - "Keeping young people healthy and out of trouble!"

Dear Members and Friends,

Your generosity during our Christmas Appeal raised £4864 including offline donations and Gift Aid, far exceeding our initial target of £2000. This was for our project to supply real leather footballs and netballs to community schools and other partners across Zambia. This presented the Trustees with a delightful quandary - whether to spend the money all at once or divide it over two years, since it would be in addition to our regular grant. In the end it was decided that it would be more efficient and produce a longer-term impact to spend it in two tranches, one this year and one the next. We have now transferred the funds to Zambia where around 300 balls will soon be distributed. A similar number will be supplied next year.

A real leather ball does more than offer play—it boosts school attendance, teamwork, confidence, and social skills. For children facing poverty, stress, and mental health challenges, sport provides joy, belonging, and a healthy, positive outlet that helps steer them away from harmful paths.

Your support also creates a ripple effect. The balls are manufactured in Lusaka by Alive and Kicking, a social enterprise that employs vulnerable adults, many of whom are disabled, providing jobs they would otherwise struggle to find. The balls are hard-wearing, designed for hard surfaces, proven to last up to eight times longer than other brands and can be repaired to extend their life.

The quotes below from past recipients across Zambia give a sense of how much difference the gift of a football or netball can make, and the scale of the need:

“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" - Headteacher at Kawama Community School, Kabwe.

"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."  Pupil from Gilbert Hangandu Bweengwa Community School, Monze District.

“I am very grateful for the balls which I received. They will go a long way in helping the youths in this community to exercise and live a healthy life. Also, when they are busy playing football and netball they will refrain from drugs and other bad habits since they will be busy.” Hilda, who runs football and netball teams in her village in Eastern Province.

We are very grateful to everyone who supported our Christmas Appeal, and we can reassure you that every penny will go towards the purchase of balls - there are no deductions for admin costs.

With your help, the Zambia Society Trust is transforming lives – one football or netball at a time. Thank you.