Two men wearing orange life jackets smiling for a selfie on a boat with water and mountains in the background.

This is where our journey started! I’m Tom, that is Nicholas behind me who works as the Chief Officer of our flagship programme on Mfangano Island, Kenya.

We met in 2021, when our paths crossed we felt as though we could make something special. For us, that means two things: incredible outdoor lifestyle where we grow all 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 challenging conditions.

We realised that sports teams (particularly football!) can unite people faster then anything else, this is how we get together to foster and build a sense of hope, community, belonging and mission.

Could you have a helping hand in developing the next Saido Mane?

Ourselves and many others on the island all share the same dream of producing a world class footballing talent but as we cultivate that dream we can make an incredible difference in the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of people on the island.

As a volunteer on our Kenya sports programme, you will engage in two primary activities: helping with sports education in a local school, and assisting a community team with training and coaching. Your role in the school will often concentrate on assisting a local teacher with sports and PE lessons, helping to engage the next generation in sport.

Your second role as a volunteer sports coach in Kenya will revolve around helping out a more experienced sports team. Many local football teams meet up for afternoon or evening sessions and are often desperate for a little coaching or help. Even if you are not a professional coach your willingness to get stuck in will be of great benefit, and training sessions are always great fun! Our work with these teams also has a more serious side. Many are composed of young men, often without jobs or the prospect of getting one. Working with these vulnerable groups is vital for keeping them motivated, and sport offers a fantastic structured environment, often creating a valuable sense of community identity.