This is from 2022 which is where our journey started! I’m Tom, that is Nicholas behind me who works as the Team Manager of our programme on Mfangano Island, Kenya.

We met in 2022, when our paths crossed we soon realised that not just in footballing terms we were birds of the same feather. For us, that means two things: sustainable lifestyles where we grow most of our own foods and live outdoors in the sun and second, our unmatched love for football and inspiring young people to make the best of their lives, in this case, in some severely challenging conditions.

We realised that sports teams (particularly football) can unite and bring people together faster than anything else, this was going to be our vehicle to foster and build a sense of hope, community, belonging and mission.

From 2026 Mfangano Foundation is planning to formally establish a youth football club, Mfangano United.

The Foundation will use the formation of the club and the universal motivator of football to positively impact young people’s lives on Mfangano Island and to support the wider community. Participation by young people in the club will be linked to improved school attendance and engagement with Foundation-led community projects and footballing activities.

The Foundation will be building on its work on the island over the past four years and strengthening its collaboration with local partners

To fund its activities over the next 12 months, the Foundation is seeking to raise a minimum of £[12,000] from both its existing donor base and potential new donors. Over £[5,000] has already been pledged

The Foundation has applied to the Charity Commission to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Registration is expected by the end of February 2026.

The Foundation will formally establish the football club to act as a catalyst to address the challenges facing young people on the island and the lack of engagement. The Foundation will also be developing existing relationships with leading clubs in Kenya (e.g. Ulinzi Stars, KCB and APS Bomet all of whom compete in the Kenyan Premier League).

The club has also spent the last few years since its inception endeavouring to develop the general standards of practice and facilities on the island. This has included flattening and re-developing the land at Sena Primary School on Mfangano Island where our activities take place. We are grateful to have a long standing agreement with the school who generously provide their grounds.