This is an encouraging update from one of our partners in Zambia about the power of play in personal & community transformation:

Here is a story that started with much ignited passion to develop young leaders in Africa prior to World Cup 2010 In Africa.

Before World Cup 2010, we trained and mobilized a lot of coaches, community, and church leaders on how to bring out Whole Life coaching and train young leaders to be fathers of the continent.

We have a number of leaders still developing young leaders and restoring the fatherhood and motherhood in the families through Whole Life coaching.

For some of us, Whole Life coaching became a life style. We decided to walk a journey with coaches and players to attain the desired goals.

From Play to Transformation:

Some of the Coaches and Players we have been walking with have made huge impact in their communities by multiplying leaders and values in the young people. A good example is Mpulungu Youth, a whole life coaching sports and discipleship initiative  that have seen about 40 boys proceed from Division 3, Division 2 and now have qualified to go to Division 1 after topping the leagues.

The team has become a role model among the 48 Football Association of Zambia registered clubs in the Northern Province.

‘We are impressed by the Mpulungu Youth boys, They have displayed both sportsmanship and Christmanship in and off the field, they therefor deserve to proceed to another level,’ Mr Mwansa K.

The 40 boys have been self-reliant to support the movement by doing various micro businesses to supplement to personal lives and the life of sports. They sell:

  • Eggs
  • Sausages
  • Fish
  • Cassava
  • Soft drinks
  • Charcoal
  • While others run Barber shops and saloons
  • Others keep Chickens, goats, pigs, rabbits and grow vegetables.

Helping Coaching others Kids.

10 out 40 have received either E or D  Fifa licenses and have gone  through Whole Life coaching and mentoring training. And some are coaching U 17, U 15, U 14, U 12, U 10 and Girls Soccer teams respectively.

160 Community Coaches involved in 200 villages with around 3,000 young people impacted per year.

Dream:

I really saw the dream. With the few boys modeling it, we are very excited to see how the vision will be unfolding.

Ball Project is thankful for all of our partners working faithfully to build their communities, transform lives & help children play.